Arts Program

Integrating art into PCH creates a welcoming and stimulating environment for our patients, families and staff.

Perth Children’s Hospital has a collection of over 430 artworks and commissioned pieces on display throughout the hospital.

Image | Another Place, Sarah Toohey, 2012

The collection was established in 1985 at Princess Margaret Hospital with a focus on artwork that appeals to children and young people and contribute to their health and wellbeing. It aims to enrich the lives of those it surrounds, reflect the cultural interests of the hospital, provide educational opportunities and build an identity for the hospital.

There were eight significant artworks commissioned through the WA Government’s Percent for Art Scheme for the new hospital opening in 2018.

Image | Fizz by Stuart Green, 2015

A new external mural was commissioned in 2020 for Ward 1A providing a more positive outlook for the Oncology patients. The 100m long mural was painted by artist Kyle Hughes-Odgers and has an accompanying activity booklet for patients. Download the activity book from the ‘Day Dreaming’ mural (PDF 3.2MB) outside Ward 1A.

Image | Day Dreaming mural, Kyle Ogden-Hughes, 2020

Story About a Billabong, 1990 by Joyce Gumbarraway

CAHS is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal children, young people and their families. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the oldest living culture, with a distinct history and heritage and enormous diversity in language, art and stories.

Providing Aboriginal artworks at Perth Children’s Hospital brings a sense of pride in Aboriginal culture and a connection to Country, whilst providing comfort to our Aboriginal patients and families. There are over 50 Aboriginal artworks on display throughout the hospital, located in public and clinical spaces, as well as corporate areas.

Staff, patients, families and visitors are encouraged to discover the many Aboriginal artworks on display at the hospital as an opportunity to celebrate and understand Aboriginal culture.

Download the Aboriginal artworks tour flyer (PDF 2.3MB) and take the virtual tour.

Arts Activity Kits

During 2022, two specially designed Arts Activity Kits were provided to patients at PCH to create their own artworks with all the materials and inspiration to make:

• Creative Critters using Air Dry Clay
• Washi Tape Treasure Box

The original artwork and activity design was created by Maxxi Minaxi May.

The PCH Arts Program is managed by CAHS and delivered in partnership with the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health with funding provided by the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The Artist in Residence program provides opportunities for patients to participate in creative activities that support their health and wellbeing.  Visual and performing artists take up residency at PCH over several months to deliver creative workshops activities to patients and families.

The program is funded by the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation and presented in partnership with the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health (SSEN:MMH). 

Image | Maxxi May running her AIR workshops with kids at PCH and Hayley Bahr's illustrations on the corridors at Princess Margaret Hospital

The program aims to make a child or parent’s stay in hospital more comfortable, while also providing moments of fun and distraction for patients, siblings and parents who spend significant amounts of time in hospital.

Image | Steve Aiton taking his animations to kids in hospital and Yarning with Sharyn Egan

The artists work with patients through bedside visits, in classrooms, waiting areas and in Fun on Four to provide a wide range of activities including animation, printmaking, sculpture, collage, painting, photography, textiles, storytelling, singing, music and dance. 

Image | (L) Lucinda Crimson and (R) Maxxi May running their AIR workshops

Past Artist in Residence projects:

AiR Claymation 2021