UCLH Patient Open Exhibition 2025
UCLH Arts, established in 2005, works across all our hospitals to create a welcoming and uplifting environment for patients, visitors, and staff through a diverse and engaging arts and heritage programme. As part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the programme, we invite patients at UCLH to submit their artworks for the UCLH Patient Open Exhibition, which will take place between 2nd May to 9th July 2025.
The UCLH Patient Open Exhibition is open to patients currently receiving or have previously received treatment at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The exhibition is a unique opportunity for patients to showcase their artistic talent and explore how creativity has supported their health and well-being. Twenty-four submissions will be selected to exhibit in The Street Gallery, located on the ground floor of University College Hospital.
For more information about UCLH Arts, please visit: Arts & Heritage : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
What Can You Submit?
We can accept artwork in the following formats:
- Photography
- Textiles (if framed)
- Paintings
- Drawings
- Multi-media collage
- Printmaking
- Written text
We cannot accept digital or moving images, unframed textiles, or sculptures. We can also not accept any artwork containing:
- Swearing
- Nudity
- Religiously or culturally offensive imagery
- Graphic depictions of violence, gore or surgical imagery
If you wish to create an audio-visual piece alongside your submission, we can use QR codes on the exhibition labels to direct viewers to a URL, such as YouTube or SoundCloud.
Please provide a title for each piece and a description of up to 250 words. You can use the description to explain how the piece was created, what inspired you, or what key message you want to convey through your artwork. We kindly request that submissions not include graphic representations related to personal health conditions or illnesses, as we aim to maintain a sensitive atmosphere within the hospital.
If you’re unsure where to start, please visit the Staff Art Exhibition 2024 webpage for examples of artwork submitted by staff to inspire you. If you have any questions or need further information, please email uclh.uclharts@nhs.net
How to Submit Your Artwork
To enter the Patient Open Exhibition, please complete the form below and email it to uclh.uclharts@nhs.net by Friday 4th April, along with up to three photographs of your artwork in jpeg format. You can submit a maximum of three artworks for consideration, and each image should not exceed 2 MB.
Artists may sell their work through the exhibition; please include a price for each artwork on the submission form. UCLH Arts and Heritage will take a 35% commission on all sales made during the exhibition.
The selection committee will review all submissions and select 24 artworks for display in The Street Gallery. Successful applicants will be notified within 10 days of the submission deadline, Friday 4th April. If your submission is not selected for the physical exhibition, it will be featured in a digital exhibition on the UCLH Arts website.
Additionally, you have the option to submit your artwork to the HLTH Europe Art Gallery. This online gallery showcases art from clinicians, patients, and healthcare workers across Europe. To learn more about this opportunity, please visit this link.
The exhibition space uses a secure hanging system, requiring all artworks to be framed or equipped with ‘D-ring’ fastenings. Selected participants must deliver their framed artworks to the UCLH Arts team by Tuesday 29th April. Please note that artwork should not exceed 185 cm in height.
If you have any questions or need further information, please email us at uclh.uclharts@nhs.net
About UCLH Arts & Heritage
UCLH Arts & Heritage is the hospital arts and heritage project that serves UCLH NHS Foundation Trust and its surrounding community and is funded entirely by charitable donations and fundraising. UCLH Arts & Heritage is committed to providing a welcoming, uplifting environment for all patients, visitors and staff through the use of a varied and stimulating arts and heritage programme. Its work aims to improve the patient experience, boost staff morale, increase engagement with the arts and celebrate the Trust’s unique heritage and community.
Since 2005, UCLH has worked to improve patient and staff outcomes through the Arts. It does this in a number of ways, including a changing exhibition and music programme, creative workshops on wards, artist residencies, commissioning site-specific artwork, and a staff culture club. UCLH arts and heritage receives its funding from UCLH Charity and the Friends of UCLH.
Website: https://
Email: uclh.uclharts@nhs.net
Twitter: @uclh
Instagram: @uclh