haven (noun)

1. a place of safety or refuge

2. an inlet providing shelter for ships or boats; a harbour or small port

Our strategy for the New Shellharbour Hospital (NSH) is positioned as a ‘haven’ for the community. The hospital will be a safe place to visit on one’s health journey; a sheltered inlet for respite and repair. The artistic program aims to create a place where everyone can feel safe, restored and cared for. Shellharbour Hospital will be a haven for all.

Cultural Capital is the Creative Producer for the New Shellharbour Hospital (NSH). Working collaboratively with the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, COX Architecture, and Yerrabingin, we have produced an Arts in Health Strategy that sets out a vision to champion local artists and story-telling in diverse art forms across the site. The curatorial vision ‘Haven’ underpins the arts in health program and aims to foster the NSH as a safe, restorative and healing place on one’s health journey.

The strategy was developed after extensive consultation with the community, staff, and clinicians who will interact with NSH. Our consultation process aimed to identify opportunities for the Arts in Health program to improve clinical outcomes, improve cultural safety and champion local community pride.

The Arts in Health Strategy was endorsed in September 2024. Currently we are working through the Creative Procurements phase. This scope includes writing artist briefs, researching and developing artist lists, procuring artists and managing the design, fabrication, and installation of works.

The art program reflects the key values and aspirations of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and the community who will access the new hospital. Artwork commissions will feature local artists, artworks supporting mental health and a major Aboriginal entrance commission to acknowledge a deep connection to Country.

Renders courtesy of Cox Architecture.