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Arts Program

The arts offer patients and their loved ones opportunities for self expression, creative fulfillment, symptom relief, and improved quality of life.

Creative Expression

At Connecticut Hospice, we view the arts as an important component of care that helps promote creative fulfillment and improved quality of life. The first of its kind in the United States, our program was founded on the premise that patients can experience a good quality of life, dignity, and autonomy through a variety of forms of self expression, from crafts to journaling to music.

The Arts Program is available to all patients under the care of Connecticut Hospice, and their families, free of charge.
Patient at The Connecticut Hospice enjoying the Arts Program

Arts Program Video

Interview with Arts Director

Expressive Arts Program Services

The Connecticut Hospice Patients Outside making crafts through the Arts Program
  • Board-certified art and music therapists provide a variety of therapies to patients, and their families and friends.
  • Trained staff and volunteer musicians, visual artists, writers, and other artisans, as well as student interns, offer arts exposure to music, poetry, writing, visual arts, crafts, drama, movement & more.
  • Arts programming is available to patients receiving in-patient and at-home care through Connecticut Hospice.  For at-home care, Arts staff and volunteers visit patients and families in whatever setting they reside.
  • Arts staff and volunteers make rounds for one-on-one bedside services in patient rooms, or take requests from patients, loved ones, or from a member of a patient’s interdisciplinary team. Arts programming is also offered in common areas, if patients prefer.
  • Arts programming may also be done with family members and loved ones in a group setting.
  • Live music throughout the building, rotating exhibitions and frequent concerts by the community are also part of the in-patient environment.
  • The arts offer patients and their loved ones opportunities for self expression and provide creative outlets.
  • Expressive arts of all kinds can provide alternative ways of communicating that are accessible and comfortable for the patients and families, allowing them to say things that can be too difficult to say face to face.
  • Participating in the arts opens up opportunities for patients and families to reminisce, and for patients to tell their life stories.
  • Arts activities often reduce stress for patients, friends and families.
  • Participating in the arts helps relieve anxiety, boredom, pain and other symptoms. 
  • Exposure to the music, visual arts, and other art forms can help improve mood and allow for patients to actively participate in life.
  • Visual artwork created by patients can be treasured keepsakes for loved ones.

Benefits of the Arts in Palliative & Hospice Care

Connecticut Hospice Patient Playing Paino

The Connecticut Hospice Difference



  • Connecticut Hospice Arts Program is a multifaceted program, staffed 365 days a year by a full-time arts director and several board-certified music and art therapists.
  • Connecticut Hospice was the first to integrate arts with hospice care and include the arts in the interdisciplinary team approach.
  • 2013 Winner of the New Haven Arts Council Arts Award
  • We were the first to receive funding for the Arts Program from The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA was the first governmental organization to promote integration of the arts in health care, and their early leadership enabled Connecticut Hospice to establish their Arts Program in 1979.
  • Recognized as a teaching model by Veterans Administration Community Living Center in Washington, DC, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Society for Arts in Healthcare.
  • We were the first to receive funding for the Arts Program from The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The NEA was the first governmental organization to promote integration of the arts in health care, and their early leadership enabled Connecticut Hospice to establish their Arts Program in 1979.
  • Recognized as a teaching model by Veterans Administration Community Living Center in Washington, DC, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and Society for Arts in Healthcare.

Please Support Us

As a not-for-profit, we depend on generous donors to help us provide customized services and therapies that aren’t completely covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. 

Please make a gift to help us sustain the highest standard of care.

Donate  Online

Contact Admissions

Admissions may be scheduled seven days a week.
Call our Centralized Intake Department: (203) 315-7540.

Admissions
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