Creative Health in Action at CUH Arts

When applying for placements, Cambridge University Hospital Arts immediately stood out as my first choice. Having developed a keen interest in dementia-friendly initiatives, I was drawn to their pioneering work in creative health. During my placement, I witnessed how providing care extends far beyond medical treatment. CUH Arts exemplifies this holistic approach to care, with world-class arts initiatives deeply integrated into daily hospital operations.

My role primarily focused on collections management and interpretation, including supporting the 2024 Collection Audit, conducting research, and writing interpretive content for various artists in the collection. One of my significant achievements was creating the Collections Highlight feature on artist Anita Klein, which garnered recognition from the artist herself. Writing and installing 181 interpretation labels throughout the hospitals became another rewarding aspect of my placement. I was deeply moved each time I noticed someone stopping to read them, finding a moment of peace or distraction within the busy hospital corridors.

Working alongside Catherine Ward and Filipa Pereira-Stubbs, CUH Arts' Dementia Specialist and Resident Dance Artist, was incredibly valuable. In the Dance for Health sessions, I watched in awe as music and movement brought light to patients' eyes. These moments were particularly touching in the elderly wards, where the combination of dance, music, and human connection created beautiful moments of joy and engagement. It was powerful to see how arts interventions could create such a meaningful impact in people's lives during their most challenging times.

This placement has reinforced my interest in creative health and equipped me with valuable skills in collections management while showing me the transformative power of arts in healthcare settings. My experience was made extraordinary by the amazing CUH Arts team, whose unwavering support, generous mentorship, and infectious enthusiasm turned every day into an opportunity for learning and growth. Their dedication to arts in healthcare has truly inspired my future career path.
Nurin Zulhazransa, MA Museum Studies