Arts In Hospital is a scheme that helps to ease the stress or upset of a visit or stay in Dorchester County Hospital. It's a fantastic collection of contemporary art and is very effectively run, part-time, by Alex Coulter and Jackie Donaldson. The hospital is unfortunately having to make severe cuts, and art is not going to be easy to argue for. So, the scheme is trying to get more people become "Friends" of Arts in Hospital so that it can become self-sufficient. It only costs £15 a year (£10 for artists) and your involvement will make a lot of difference.

What is Arts in Hospital?
Arts in Hospital is a small, charitable organisation based at Dorset County Hospital which aims to ‘make Dorset feel better’. In 1987, the Vice Chairman of the hospital, Val Pitt-Rivers, started Arts in Hospital with the help of a few friends. Since her retirement in 1998 she has continued to support the scheme as an active patron. Her first committee was responsible for some of the most iconic artworks such as the Red & Blue Crayons by Peter Logan and the Dog by Dame Elisabeth Frink, a founder member of the group.

The Collection
Dorset County Hospital boasts an enviable collection of more than 500 contemporary artworks and many of the larger pieces were specially commissioned through the project, Bringing the Outside In, which was funded by an Arts Council England Lottery award. We are wholly dependent on charitable grants and donations to support the maintenance of the collection and the projects with patients, staff and the community.

Arts in Hospital aims to ‘enhance the hospital environment, raise the patients spirits and give pleasure to all who are concerned with their welfare – helping Dorset to feel better’. 

The Friends of Arts in Hospital support this aim by providing a regular income through membership fees and donations.

Membership Levels & Benefits:

BRONZE - £15 per annum
* Newsletters
* Priority booking on trips and events
* Invitations to private views and events
Joint Membership £25 per annum
Students/NHS staff £5 per annum

SILVER - £50 per annum
* As Bronze PLUS
* Free, guided tours of the collection

GOLD patron # - £250 per annum
*As Silver PLUS
*Free participation in all events
*Acknowledgement of your support
*Opportunities to sponsor events

ARTIST - £10 per annum
*As Bronze PLUS
*Annual artists’ event

SCHOOLS - £25 per annum
*As Bronze PLUS
*Annual visit to see the collection and the opportunity to work with artists

Please get in touch to join or for more information:
Contact: Alex Coulter, Arts in Hospital, Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 2JY
01305 255144 / This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it