Studio G Artists-in-Residence Program

Hospitalization has long been recognized as a stressful experience for everyone, but research indicates that it is especially difficult for children. With proper support, however, children can survive and even grow from the hospital experience. In recent years we have come to recognize that the arts can play a significant role in that support.

What is Studio G?
Studio G is a multicultural artist-in-residence program founded at Georgetown in 1993. Professional artists representing the full range of arts offer a complete palette of expressive activities—poetry, dancing, music, singing, storytelling, photography, and so on. Artists visit during the daytime, evenings, and on weekends.

Sessions take place in the activity room on the pediatric floor. Children unable to come to the activity room are visited in their rooms. Family members are welcome to join in, or often use the time for a well-needed break. 

Why the Arts?
Participating in the arts with professional artists can help children deal with several realities of hospitalization:

1. Pain and discomfort—Children can develop new coping strategies and distance and distract themselves.
2. Limited opportunities to make decisions—Children can make choices and be independent.
3. Passive roles—Children can be active ones, the ones in charge.
4. Emotions—Children can communicate both pleasant and unpleasant feelings, safely let go, and relive and master traumatic experiences.
5. Physical limitations—Children can draw on their remaining abilities, imagine what they may be unable to do physically, and direct others to achieve their creative decisions.
6. Unfamiliar environment—Children can do something "normal" and familiar, share experiences with others, and experience the joy of childhood.
7. Opportunities for learning and growth—Children can demonstrate understanding of their condition and treatment, experience closure through a compete project, and develop potential for a lifelong interest in the arts and creative expression.

Above All, Do Not Harm
To ensure that everyone—healthcare professionals, families, and even the artists themselves—is comfortable with artists working with the vulnerable and sometimes very fragile children at our hospital, we have provided all Studio G artists with formal instruction in child development, the special needs and concerns of children who are hospitalized, safety issues, communication skills, and importance of parents, other family members, and friends. This intense preparation helps ease hospital staff and parents' concerns, and provides artists with knowledge, skills, and support to cope with everyday hospital experiences. In addition, Studio G artists complete a supervised internship under the direction of child development professionals, and receive ongoing educational opportunities and support.

Because of the program's unique training and internship components, Studio G has captured national and even international recognition as a model program.

Additional Information
To learn more about Studio G, please contact Judy Rollins, PhD, RN, Studio G Coordinator, at 202-444-3060 or JAR83@georgetown.edu