Children’s Healing Art Project

Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP) reaches critically-ill and disabled children, teens and their loved ones with an in-and-out of the hospital, interactive healing arts program that strengthens, engages and inspires. CHAP’s in-hospital art programs are tailored to the needs, wishes and abilities of each child, bringing them out of isolation and infusing their lives with choice, purpose, and self-expression.

During CHAP’s in-hospital art programs, children are in full charge of their arts experiences—from materials to mediums—children are enabled to tell their personal stories and encouraged to express themselves in ways that are true to their nature, abilities and aesthetic wishes. An ever evolving combination of drawing, painting, beading, book binding, mask making, sculpting, animation and sewing offer a world of art opportunities that bring inspiration to life. Programs are led by trained teaching artists.

Children continue their creative endeavors post-hospitalization at the CHAP Art Factory. Opened in late 2008, the Art Factory is a one-of-a-kind community art space for children and families during healing or therapy post-hospitalization, during hospice care, and for loved ones after a child dies. Art experiences that began during hospitalization are deepened, enriched and expanded at the Art Factory. It is also home to CHAP’s community engagement programs through which community members experience the importance of participation in the arts and gain a better understanding and awareness of childhood illness and disability. Last year, CHAP brought the healing power of art to over 7,000 children, teens and family members. Learn more at www.chap.name.