Thank you to all artists who submitted proposals for the general art call out and the RFP for the carved Welcome Figures. The submission period is now closed.
Art promotes healing and enhances the quality of healthcare experiences - it will play an integral role in the new Cowichan District Hospital. Research has shown that integrating art and thoughtful design into the construction of hospitals can reduce stress and lead to improved outcomes for patients.
As part of our commitment to creating a comforting, healing healthcare environment, Island Health is pleased to be developing an art program for the future hospital. Art created by local and island-wide artists will be featured throughout the facility, in a variety of media. The arts advisory group is reviewing more than 300 submissions and we look forward to sharing more information as this exciting program evolves.
For more information, please email art.newcdh@islandhealth.ca.
Art@CDH Frequently Asked Questions
- Why art in a hospital?
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Art creates a healing environment. Indigenous community dialogues and research* have made clear the importance and benefits of reflecting cultural identity and art in healing settings, and other evidence-based literature suggests that integrating art and thoughtful design into the construction of hospitals can reduce stress and lead to improved outcomes for patients.
Art has been shown to reduce the need for medications, shorten hospital stays and de-escalate agitation and aggression.
Art promotes healing and enhances the quality of health care experiences; it benefits all: patients, families, health care providers, volunteers and visitors.
- Finding #8: Indigenous Health practices and knowledge are not integrated into the health care system in a meaningful and consistent way.
- Recommendation #10: That design of hospital facilities in BC. Include partnership with local Indigenous peoples and the Nations on whose territories these facilities are located, so that health authorities create culturally appropriate, dedicated physical spaces in health facilities for ceremony and cultural protocol, and visibly include Indigenous artwork, signage and territorial acknowledgement throughout these facilities.
- What is the timeline for the Welcome Figures?
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Shortlisted artists will submit concept Plans for Phase 2 by October 3. The selected artist will begin work on the Welcome Figures starting soon after, with an expected completion date of December 31, 2026.
Important dates:
August 5, 2025 Request for Proposals released August 29, 2025 Submission deadline for Proposals September 8, 2025 Review and shortlist process; selected artists notified to prepare Concept Plans for Phase 2 October 3, 2025 Deadline for expanded Concept Plans; interviews with shortlisted artists begin October 2025 Interviews and selection of artist October 2025 Awarded artist begins work December 31, 2026 Completion of work January 2027 Proposed Welcome Figures raising - Have the logs already been selected?
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Yes! Two beautiful red cedar logs have been procured for the Welcome Figure poles. The length of the logs is sufficient for two 17 ft. finished figures. The logs will be prepared for carving (stripped, etc.) for the selected artist.
- Whose art will be included?
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Art will be created by members of all communities served by the hospital.
Artwork will be informed by all people who are served by the hospital, including First Nation communities in the region. We also acknowledge the new hospital will serve the Stz'uminus, Le'eyqsun, Spune'luxutth, MÁLEXEŁ, Xeláltxw, Ditidaht, Pacheedaht, Ts'uubaa-asatx, Métis, Inuit, urban Indigenous population and Quw'utsun peoples.
The Cowichan Valley is also home to South Asian Canadians, Japanese Canadians, Chinese Canadians, 2SLGBTQI+, people with diverse abilities, students from local schools and other community organizations.
Art illustrates geographic location: the land upon which the hospital is being built informs major art installations, such as the Welcome Figures and the Carved Door for the Indigenous Gathering Space.
- If I am not selected to contribute art, will you keep my completed application on file?
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Yes. Artist applications will be kept on file for consideration for future opportunities at the hospital.
- Will artists be required to create an original artwork for consideration during the Call for Artists application stage?
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No. Artists will not be asked to create unique works during the Call for Artists, application phase. Examples of existing work will be requested.
- What are the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) criteria for artwork in the hospital?
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Selections for art will be subject to an infection prevention and control (IPAC) risk assessment for artwork installation in healthcare facilities. Click here for more information about IPAC criteria.
- Will Indigenous art be highlighted?
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Yes. The Integration of Indigenous artwork is a response to Recommendation 10 of In Plain Sight*.
Artwork foregrounds Indigenous art, languages and cultures and is fundamental to the design and operations of the new hospital; it supports an environment of cultural safety and healing.
The integration of Indigenous art is as a call to action that addresses racism experienced by Indigenous people in Canada’s healthcare facilities.
Storytelling – inspired by the hospital’s location on the traditional territories of the Quw’utsun and stories inspired by all the Nations and Indigenous communities served by the new CDH – plays a fundamental role in the development of themes, artwork, wayfinding and landscape design. The stories that emerged during engagement sessions between the Project team and local Indigenous communities represent regional and cultural identity.
*In Plain Sight Report Recommendation #10: That design of hospital facilities in BC. Include partnership with local Indigenous peoples and the Nations on whose territories these facilities are located, so that health authorities create culturally appropriate, dedicated physical spaces in health facilities for ceremony and cultural protocol, and visibly include Indigenous artwork, signage and territorial acknowledgement throughout these facilities.
- Will there be opportunities to donate art to the new hospital?
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If you are interested in donating your artwork to the new hospital, please contact the Art@CDH team at art.newcdh@islandhealth.ca to discuss possible donation opportunities.
January 29, 2025:
Read the first edition of the Art@CDH Newsletter
September 18, 2024:
