Ethan Rhodes
Hospitals are often associated with sadness, but art in hospitals can change this perception. The colourful and uplifting images can offer a window of colour, memory and discovery, which is integral to the healing process. Many hospitals accept art donations from artists, dealers, estates, corporations and individuals. Some hospitals have specific requirements for the artwork, such as size, framing, and content, while others have a selection committee that decides whether to accept the artwork based on the hospital's interests. There are also tax implications for artwork donations, which vary depending on the value of the artwork and the type of organisation receiving the donation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Art type | Paintings, drawings, photographs, posters, sculptures |
| Artwork characteristics | Soothing, engaging, educational, uplifting, visually appealing, joyful, bright, positive |
| Artwork requirements | Artwork must be framed with plexiglass, not glass. Artwork must meet all state and federal building, fire, life safety, and ADA codes. |
| Donation process | Contact the hospital's administrative or marketing office, send images and details of the artwork, sign a Deed of Gift, arrange delivery |
| Tax implications | Tax rules vary depending on the length of ownership, value, type of organisation, etc. Donations over $500 require written records and an IRS form. Donations over $5,000 require an appraisal. |
| Artist recognition | Artists can receive title cards with their information next to their artwork, or have their work included in an online gallery |
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What You'll Learn
How to find a hospital that wants art donations
There are several organisations that facilitate art donations to hospitals. These include:
- ArtWorks for Cancer, which transforms clinical areas in hospitals in Ontario, Canada, into warm and hopeful spaces. They accept donations from artists, dealers, estates, corporations, and individuals.
- The White Feather Foundation, which invites artists to donate joyful and uplifting artwork to hospitals.
- The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals, which places beautiful photos in hospitals around the world. They accept donations from photographers and sponsors.
If you are interested in donating artwork to a specific hospital, you can reach out to the hospital directly. For example, Boston Children's Hospital invites artists to send a completed Gifts of Art Submission Form along with pictures of the artwork to their Art Coordinator. Their artwork must be framed with Plexiglas, not glass, and must meet other safety requirements.
When considering whether to accept a piece of artwork, hospitals and art organisations will look at several factors. These include whether the artwork is soothing, engaging, educational, uplifting, and visually appealing, as well as whether it could be seen as confusing, scary, or inappropriate.
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How to find an artist willing to donate their work
Art can be therapeutic and uplifting for patients in hospitals, so it's no surprise that you want to find artists willing to donate their work to a hospital. Here are some ways to find those artists:
Reach Out to Artists Directly
Many artists are passionate about sharing their work with the world and making a positive impact. Consider contacting local artists in your community directly to inquire about their interest in donating artwork to a hospital. You can find local artists by attending art fairs, gallery openings, and community art events. Mandy Kron, the art coordinator for The Arts in Health Care Program at UW Hospital, for instance, acquires art by attending art-related community events and encourages artists to reach out to her about new works.
Online Artist Communities
Online platforms like Reddit have artist communities where artists come together to discuss their work, share advice, and collaborate. Joining these communities can be a great way to connect with artists who might be interested in donating their work to hospitals.
Artist Newsletters
Some art coordinators, like Mandy Kron, are open to receiving newsletters from artists. This can be an effective way to stay updated on an artist's new work and any potential interest in donating pieces to hospitals.
Art Donation Programs
There are organizations dedicated to bringing art into hospitals, such as Art@Hospital and the Foundation for Hospital Art. These programs often commission artists to create uplifting artwork specifically for hospitals. Artists who participate in these programs may be willing to donate their work.
Hospital Art Programs
Hospitals themselves often have art programs that seek to acquire new artwork. For example, Boston Children's Hospital has an art program that reviews proposals for artwork donations. Hospitals may also purchase artwork from temporary exhibits or rotating exhibitions in their public spaces, providing an opportunity for artists to sell their work to the hospital.
Remember, when approaching artists or art coordinators, it is essential to communicate that the hospital will not incur any costs, as this is a crucial factor in their decision to participate.
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How to get in touch with the right person at the hospital
If you are interested in donating art to a hospital, there are several ways to get in touch with the right person. Here are some steps you can take:
- Contact the hospital directly: Start by visiting the hospital's website or giving them a call. Ask to speak to the administrative or marketing office, as they will likely be able to direct you to the person who handles artwork donations. This could be an art program manager, an art coordinator, or a similar role.
- Get in touch with the art program manager: Many hospitals have dedicated art programs and initiatives. For example, Boston Children's Hospital has an Art Program Manager, Elisabeth Gordon, who can be contacted via phone or email. Reach out to the art program manager to discuss the specifics of your donation and how it aligns with their program.
- Connect through charities: Some charities act as intermediaries between artists and hospitals. For instance, ArtWorks for Cancer installs artwork in hospitals in Ontario, Canada, and The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals places photographic art in hospitals worldwide. These charities often have established relationships with hospitals and can guide you through the donation process.
- Reach out to specific departments: If you have a particular type of artwork or a specific purpose for your donation, consider reaching out to the relevant hospital department directly. For instance, if you want to donate photographic art for a psychiatric unit, contact the psychiatric department to inquire about their interest and display options.
- Utilize personal connections: If you have personal connections to anyone working in a hospital, consider reaching out to them. They may be able to guide you to the right person or department and provide valuable insights into the hospital's needs and interests regarding artwork.
- Offer to volunteer: If you are an artist interested in creating artwork specifically for a hospital, consider offering your time as a volunteer. Contact the hospital and express your interest in volunteering your artistic skills. They may be open to working with you to create artwork that aligns with their needs and the interests of their patients.
Remember, each hospital may have its own procedures and requirements for artwork donations, so it's essential to get in touch with the right person who can guide you through their specific process.
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What to do if you want to donate art as a photographer
If you're a photographer looking to donate your art to hospitals, there are several organizations you can consider reaching out to. Here are some steps you can take:
- The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals: This organization is dedicated to placing beautiful photographs in hospitals worldwide. They accept digital images as donations and use them to create printed and framed photos, which are then shipped to hospitals. Photographers can join their Contributing Photographer Program and submit their work to their Gallery of Photos. The foundation also offers the option to dedicate photos "in honour of" or "in memory of" someone. All donations are tax-deductible.
- ArtWorks for Cancer: This organization transforms clinical areas in hospitals in Ontario, Canada, into warm and hopeful spaces. They accept artwork donations from artists, including photographers, and work with hospitals to install the pieces. If you're interested in donating your photographs, you can send them images and details of the artwork, preferably via email or Dropbox for large files.
- Art@Hospitals by The White Feather Foundation: This foundation focuses on bringing artwork to hospitals worldwide. While they don't specifically mention photography, they do accept various forms of art, and you can reach out to them to discuss including your photographs in their program. They emphasize that there is no charge to the hospitals, and they aim to bring positive energy to patients, give exposure to artists, and potentially bring positive media attention to the hospitals.
- Boston Children's Hospital: Boston Children's Hospital has an Art Program that accepts donations of artwork. They carefully review proposals and consider several factors, including whether the artwork is soothing, engaging, educational, uplifting, and visually appealing. If you're interested in donating your photographs, you can send them a completed Gifts of Art Submission Form along with pictures of your artwork. They also specify that the artwork must be framed with Plexiglas instead of glass and meet certain safety and building code requirements.
Remember to review any tax implications and rules that may apply to artwork donations. Some organizations provide guidance on tax receipts and appraisals, so be sure to discuss these details with the organization you choose to donate through.
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Tax implications of donating art to a hospital
Donating artwork to a hospital or any charitable organisation can have tax implications for the donor. It is important to note that the donor must not be the one to suggest the donation to the hospital, as this may result in the deduction being revoked. The hospital or charitable organisation must approach the donor for the artwork, and the donor must not be involved in any selection process.
If you are claiming a deduction of more than $250, you must obtain and keep an acknowledgment from the charitable organisation. This acknowledgment must state whether the hospital provided any goods or services in return for the artwork and include a description and good-faith estimate of the artwork's value. If the claimed deduction is over $500, you must also maintain written records that include information on how and when you obtained the artwork and its cost basis. An official appraisal is required for donations exceeding $5,000 to determine the fair market value of the artwork.
The IRS has stipulations regarding the resale of donated artwork by the receiving institution. If the hospital or charitable organisation sells the artwork within three years, unless it is to another non-profit, the income tax deduction may be reduced or revoked. It is recommended to stipulate in the donation agreement that the artwork will not be sold for at least three years, especially for donations exceeding $5,000.
It is important to consult a professional attorney or tax specialist before promising any charitable gifts of artwork, as the field is highly nuanced. The IRS has recently warned high-income taxpayers to be cautious of promoters encouraging the donation of artwork in exchange for exaggerated income tax deductions. These promoters may bundle services such as storage, shipping, and appraisal, and encourage taxpayers to hold the artwork for a year before donating it to a charity of the promoter's choosing. To avoid issues on audit, taxpayers should be wary of promoters promising deductions that seem too good to be true.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several organisations that facilitate art donations to hospitals, such as ArtWorks for Cancer, Art@Hospitals, and The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals. You can contact these organisations and follow their specific instructions for art donations.
It is important to consider the suitability of the artwork for a hospital environment. For example, Boston Children's Hospital requires that donated artwork is framed with plexiglass instead of glass, has rounded edges, and meets all relevant safety codes. The artwork should also be visually appealing and uplifting, and not confusing or scary.
Yes, some organisations accept artwork donations from individuals. For example, The Foundation for Photo/Art in Hospitals accepts digital photo art donations from individuals, and ArtWorks for Cancer provides instructions for submitting artwork donations.
Yes, there may be tax implications for donating artwork to a hospital. In the United States, if you claim a deduction of more than $500, you must maintain written records and complete an IRS form. If the artwork is valued at over $5,000, you must also obtain an appraisal from a qualified appraiser. It is recommended to consult with a tax professional to understand the specific rules and requirements.
