Tonic Arts
Enhancing environments and enriching experiences across NHS Lothian
Tonic Arts is our award-winning Arts in Health Programme.
In partnership with NHS Lothian, specialist arts organisations and cross-sector partners, our Tonic Arts team develops programmes of art and design commissions, art collection provision, changing exhibitions, artist residencies, participatory arts activities and performances which enrich experiences and enhance environments.
Established international evidence confirms the role creativity plays within the healthcare context in enriching the healthcare experience for all; saving resources and improving patient experience by reducing the need for pain medication, shortening length of stay, reducing anxiety and depression and improving patient and staff morale.
Together, we use creativity to improve and support the health and wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors, pioneering a culture in which the arts are valued across the service.
Latest News from Tonic Arts
London Symphony Orchestra Strikes a Chord with Staff a…
World-renowned London Symphony Orchestra has performed a series of ground-breaking concerts at four hospitals across NHS Lothian as part of […]
Western General Hospital staff wellbeing space all wra…
Local independent chocolate artisan, COCO Chocolatier, are helping to enhance NHS Lothian staff wellbeing spaces by transforming their chocolate bar […]
NHS Lothian Charity’s Tonic Arts programme wins pres…
A stunning collaborative Tonic Arts programme at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh has been announced as joint winner for Best […]
Philanthropy Opens Doors For Haematology Patients
A £12.3 million private charitable donation to NHS Lothian Charity has helped transform services for blood cancer patients across South […]
Tonic Case Studies
Social and Geographic Context
Context and Place: East Lothian
Crafting of Considered Spaces: Mindful Making
Nature Bathing
Clinical Collaboration
Tonic Projects
Art And Therapeutic Design To Enhance Patient Experience
Thanks to you, our amazing supporters, we were able to fund £2million worth of art and design enhancements to the […]
Providing Art And Activity Packs For Patients During Visiting Restrictions
Thanks to generous donations received through our NHS Lothian COVID-19 Appeal and grants from NHS Charities Together, we have been […]
Supporting Staff Wellbeing Through Creative Filmmaking
Our Tonic Arts team launched a series of documentary style short films featuring NHS Lothian staff telling their stories of what life […]
Supporting The Equalities Networks Through A Programme Of Creative Engagements
Thanks to our fantastic donors and grants received from NHS Charities Together, we have been able to fund this amazing […]
What’s your haven?
Our Tonic Arts and Green Health programmes, in partnership with Stills Gallery, are proud to present ‘Havens’ – a series of portraits and stories documenting NHS Lothian staff members’ work-life experiences. More specifically – uncovering the places where they find time for quiet within their hectic work life.
What’s on
Our Common Humanity
This beautiful glass installation by Juli Bolanos-Durman (@julibd_com ) was shaped by community engagement with art and highlights the very […]
Plants that Heal
‘Plants That Heal’ by Kate Hajducka showcases the amazing watercolours that Kate painted as part of the 100 Days Project […]
Portraits in a pandemic
Our Portraits in a Pandemic Exhibition features portraits were produced free of charge by artists across the UK to show […]
Beneath the Mask
“Beneath the Mask” was an arts-based project run with mental health nurses. It is outcome of an ongoing research collaboration […]
Cajal Embroidery Project: In Celebration of Neuroscience
The Cajal Embroidery Project was conceived to honour the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Cajal Institute in 1920. […]
Walk Don’t Walk
Walk Don’t Walk is a vibrant exhibition brightening the walls of the Link Gallery at St John’s Hospital Livingston. It […]
Find out more about our Tonic Arts programme by visiting our dedicated microsite:
Tonic Commissions
We support and manage arts, design and selected Greenspace commissioning programmes, developed with patient and staff engagement and collaboration.
Tonic Participation
We aim to increase participation in art and creativity activities across the Lothians with a dynamic interdisciplinary programme incorporating all artforms and cross-sector partnerships, including close collaboration with the Charity’s Green Health and NHS Lothian Volunteer teams.
Tonic Exhibitions
We curate temporary exhibitions at seven gallery spaces across six NHS Lothian hospital sites. Our programme aims to showcase a dynamic and diverse range of artworks including patient and staff work alongside professional and commissioned work.
Tonic Collection
The Art Collection plays an important role in the improved health and wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors with over 2,500 artworks displayed across over 40 NHS Lothian sites.
