Curating Care: Original Student Artworks in a Clinical Educational Environment

Abstract

This paper examines an interdisciplinary collaboration between Purdue University’s Nursing Center for Family Health (NCFH) and the Department of Art and Design that transformed a clinical educational environment into an exhibition space for original student artwork. Since fall 2023, curated and juried student art exhibitions have introduced visual art experiences to the hallways and waiting areas of the NCFH on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. This project explores intersections between healthcare, art, and education, highlighting how aesthetic experience, interdisciplinary exchange, and community engagement can enrich clinical environments. Reflecting on the exhibition processes, spatial considerations, and educational impact, the authors discuss how integrating original artwork into a healthcare setting can create opportunities for interprofessional development, experiential learning, and exploration of connections between art and health.