By Kunle Adewale, Mandela Washington Fellow, Project LEAD and Pioneer Arts in Medicine Africa
“I believe the future of Africa is bright when young people innovates and creates sustainable projects through creative engagements. The reality of Africa we envision lies in the expression of talents of empowered young people who are driven by a formidable force to make change at all cost.”
–Kunle Adewale
In 2013, I had the privilege of working with Sickle Cell Patients through a Therapeutic Art Workshop, it was my first encounter using Arts in the hospitals. Afterwards, in 2014 I had another session with children living with Cancer at the oncology Children Ward Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) It was a beautiful experience seeing Children creating beautiful art works, the joy and the happiness on their faces were deeper than their pains. Some of them were not willing to return to their sick-beds after the art making class truly, is a hospital to our souls.
Suzzane Farrell once said, “The Arts are the hospitals for our soul.”
With my little experience, witnessing how arts help the sick, I found Suzzane’s words to be very true. There is an increasing evidence that the display of visual art, especially images of nature, can have positive effects on health outcomes, including shorter length of stay in hospitals, increased pain tolerance and decreased anxiety. The idea that art may have potential positive benefits in healthcare is not new and has been recognized by artists and healthcare professionals alike. I was inspired to start using creative engagements (Creative Arts) as a therapy and create awareness on chronic illness such as Sickle Cell anemia and Cancer. I also use art for mental health working with patients in Nigerian Psychiatric Hospital. I have witnessed how patients are being treated badly in the hospitals by staff and caregivers. There are countless encounters with parents who are depressed and are hopeless because of the chronic conditions of their children. I am passionate about how arts can be used to transformed healthcare experience. I believe art is the hospital for human souls. I am using arts to build relationships and positive connections, creating space for healing, happiness and hope for patients and their caregivers in Nigeria.
“I believe the future of Africa is bright when young people innovates and creates sustainable projects through creative engagements. The reality of Africa we envision lies in the expression of talents of empowered young people who are driven by a formidable force to make change at all cost.”
L-R Darcy Zotter Public Affairs Officer United States Consulate General Lagos and Kunle Adewale, Founder Tender Arts Nigeria, Mandela Washington Fellow and also the Project LEAD for ARTS IN MEDICINE in Africa
In 2015, I had a privilege of travelling to the United States through Mandela Washing Fellowship a flagship program of President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). My host institution was Tulane University in New Orleans, it was there that I met the Director for Arts in Medicine Tulane. We had an interesting conversation about some of my Arts projects in Nigeria and how she is managing the art programs at Tulane Hospital. Today, that professional encounter has helped me to scale up the Arts in Medicine program in Africa through collaboration with other healthcare centres and the support of the United States mission in Nigeria.
While Arts in Medicine Project was launched in November 24,2017, Arts in Medicine Fellowship was officially launched in Lagos Nigeria on February 11, 2018. At National Sickle Cell Centre Lagos Nigeria. Distinguished Guest of honour was Darcy Zotter, Public Affairs Officer United States Consulate General Lagos Nigeria other Guest includes The National Director and CEO Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria, Dr. Cecilia Ogun Chief Medical Director Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba Lagos, Dr. Bunmi Omojowolo Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Mufu Onifade Deputy Director, Curatorial Services National Gallery of Art among many others.
Arts In Medicine Fellowship is annual event and would run 7 weeks
Partner Hospitals : National Sickle Cell Centre Lagos, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Lagos, Lagos University Teaching Hospital LUTH , Children Living with Cancer Foundation, Healing Photo Art, Italy
Speaking at the inauguration, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, Ms. Darcy Zotter, expressed optimism that the initiative will go a long way in improving the quality of lives of the participating patients. “The Arts in Medicine initiative is yet another example of projects that support U.S. Mission Nigeria’s goals. The U.S. Mission to Nigeria’s Public Affairs Sections make available grant and funding opportunities to carry out projects of this type, which have social impact. “We are happy to support this project which seeks to transform healthcare service delivery and healing through the arts. Creative arts programs can help patients work towards recovery in an effective and enjoyable way,” Zotter added.
According to Fajana Oluwatosin, a 500 level Medical Student College of Medicine University of Lagos “I am happy to be part of the Arts in Medicine Fellowship 2018 cohort. Art is a very creative way of holistic care and I am looking forward to making new friends, expressing my creative side and integrating art into healthcare solution.”
Ugoala Onyinye, a 500 level College of Medicine University of Lagos “ This year I will be participating in the arts in Medicine Fellowship and I think it is a wonderful avenue for me to connect to my art, to find the relationship between art and medicine because it will be a beautiful way help with patient care. Art speed up the healing process for patients. “
According to Seun Koko, a 400 level Medicine and Surgery Student College of Medicine University of Lagos “I am really excite to be part of Arts in Medicine Fellowship this year, As someone who intends to raise the bar in Medicine and a direct offspring of an artist, Arts in Medicine Fellowship is giving me an opportunity to ignite and embrace my artistic nature thereby fuelling my passion in becoming a great physician and connecting intimately with my patients on a different levels.”
With the Arts in Medicine Fellowship, we intend to provide arts-related Workshops, civic engagement for Professionals, Patients, their Caregivers, and Staff of healthcare organizations/institutions. Arts in Medicine (AIM) recognizes the integral role of the arts in healing the spirit and transforming the healthcare treatment experience. It’s been proven that creative outlets help to reduce stress, anxiety, boredom and the perception of pain. Creative engagements through Arts in Medicine Project include: fine arts workshops and group art activities, where no past artistic experience is necessary for participants (Medical Personnel)
Arts in Medicine Fellowship is the first of its kind Africa that brings together artists and professionals in healthcare to design solutions for healthcare challenges through medical and artistic innovative content in other to transform hospital experience for patients and their care-givers. This is the maiden edition of Arts in Medicine Fellowship and we have 100 participants, 85 percent medical personnel and 15 percent artists. Arts in Medicine Fellowship is currently on going in Lagos Nigeria. National Sickle Cell Centre is the partner host organization for 2018 AIM Fellowship. Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital is already interested in joining as host organization for 2019 AIM Fellowship.
3rd person from the Left Dr. Bunmi Omojowolo (Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Annette Akinsete (CEO/National Director Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria), Dr. Cecilia Ogun (Chief Medical Director, Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital Yaba Lagos) Kunle Adewale Founder, (Tender Arts Nigeria and Project LEAD Arts in Medicine in Africa), Darcy Zotter, Public Affairs Officer United States Consulate General Lagos, Mr. Mufu Onifade,( Deputy Director Curatorial Services National Gallery of Art), Uvbi Ehigiamusoe (Award Winning Journalist) Mrs Idowu Sodeinde (Grant Officer Public Affair Section US Consulate General Lagos), Ayoola Adeniyi,( Mandela Washington Fellow), Olorunfunmi Adebajo (Mandela Washington Fellow 2016) and others
Arts in Medicine Fellowship is an integral part of the Arts in Medicine Project of Tender Arts Nigeria supported by United States Consulate General. Arts in Medicine Fellowship foster relationships between Artists, Clinicians and those in medical field. It is centered on capacity building and collaboration amongst Young Professionals in Arts and Healthcare and persons in their mid-career.
Our focus at Arts in Medicine include: Civic Leadership and Engagement, Social Innovation and Design Thinking, Arts Workshops and Exhibitions.
Arts Workshop: Creating collaborative art projects to be placed in partner hospitals and healthcare centres in Lagos. These include paintings, installations and other creative expressions.
Being part of the Arts in Medicine Fellowship provides a platform for fellows to engage patients in and out of Hospitals and Healthcare Centers by making and installing arts that help to improve their health outcomes. This is the Civic Leadership and Engagement part of the Fellowship, which inspires the participants to curate meaningful dimensions in contributing their quota to nation building and community development.
The Social Innovation and Design Thinking aspects of the fellowship provide opportunity for fellows to develop creative solutions to healthcare challenges and patient care in Nigeria.
Arts Exhibition: At the end of the fellowship, Participants would showcase their collaborative projects alongside other art works produced by patients in various hospitals and healthcare centres that involved in arts in medicine project.
At the end of the Fellowship, Fellows would be inducted but outstanding Arts in Medicine Fellows would be provided professional opportunities in furtherance of Arts in Medicine Project in Nigerian Hospitals and Healthcare. In addition, they would be able to participate in International Arts in Medicine and Arts in Healthcare programs through cross-border partnership with University of Florida, Arts in Medicine Programs and other international institutions. They will also intern with Tender Arts Nigeria in other to sustain their drive and passion for arts in healthcare in Nigeria.
Our GOALS AND OBJECTIVES can be summarized in the following points:
To transform healthcare experience for patients and their caregivers through creative arts
Bridge the huge gap between public health professionals and creative artists
Improve quality of patient care through integrated creative engagement
Reduction of stress, loneliness, anxiety and perception of pain for patients
An enhanced perception of the hospital/Healthcare centre as a nurturing and healing atmosphere
Strengthen communication between patient and staff members
Beautifying of the healthcare space/environment. Color and warmth on the walls of hospitals translate into happiness, cheer within patients and staff and lightens the mood.
Inspire collaboration between Public health sector and Professional artists.
With these, we desire outcomes which include: Patient Care, Community Wellbeing, Caring For Caregivers, Collaboration between Art Community and Health Sector.
This maiden edition features: a Tour of the National Sickle Cell Centre, Panel Discussion by seasoned Professionals in Arts and Healthcare (Theme: Building a Healthier Society through the Arts) Dr.Bunmi Omojowolo Chairman Nigerian Medical Association, Dr.Cecilia Ogun Chief Medical Director Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba Lagos, Dr. Abosede Lewu Founder Girlsaide Initiative and Mr. Dotun Popoola Curator National Gallery of Art,Oshogbo Outstation, Osun State.
Keynote Speeches by Julie Connelly, Director Arts in Medicine Tulane, New Orleans, United States of America ( Topic: Creative Intersections: Arts in Healthcare),
Dr. Akinsete, CEO/National Director, Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria. ( Topic: Enhancing Lives in Healthcare Through Arts)
