Participatory art
Led by volunteers, including a trained art therapist, these sessions invite patients, carers and staff to pause, create and express themselves.
The Art of Wellness
A place for creativity in healthcare.
A NORTH Foundation program at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, bringing comfort, connection and healing to patients, carers and staff through art and music.
Why it matters
Moments of calm, expression and joy.
A hospital can be a confronting place. For patients and families facing illness, treatment or long stays, the arts offer a welcome pause.
Music can lift spirits. Making art can create connection and a meaningful outlet during difficult times.
“To bring support to patients, carers and staff through the inclusion of the arts.”
The Art of Wellness mission, NORTH Foundation
Inside the program
Three ways the arts show up.
Festival of Music
Since 2016, five days of live music each December, from staff, schools, choirs and community performers in the hospital’s main atrium.
Staff photography
An annual competition. In 2025, 25 photographs were chosen from 76 entries, framed and hung in Ambulatory Care.
The team
Meet The Art of Wellness team.
Susan Day OAM
Coordinator, Arts & Culture
Has led the RNSH Festival of Music since 2016, after 30 years in stroke services. Awarded an OAM in 2022 for service to the community.
Mimi Eieyeh
Mental Health Nurse (CNS) / Art Therapist · Co-founder
Known to VetMiMi visitors as Daw Mi. A mental health nurse for 17 years and an art therapist since 2023.
About Daw Mi →
Michelle Fawcett
Volunteer Coordinator
Supports the volunteers at Royal North Shore and Ryde Hospitals, and sits on the RNSH Arts and Culture Committee.
Support the program
Help bring the arts into more wards.
The Art of Wellness is funded by donations through NORTH Foundation. Your support helps the program reach patients in hospital wards who cannot come to it.
Program information and photos courtesy of NORTH Foundation (opens in a new tab). The Art of Wellness is a NORTH Foundation program; VetMiMi is Daw Mi’s independent practice.
Have a question about Art of Wellness?
Get in touch to learn more or discuss a possible collaboration.