Guidelines for selecting art for Summa Health

Following are some guidelines for considering whether a work of art is appropriate for display at Summa Health. The Curator will make the final determination in all questions of suitability for the healing arts environment.

Generally appropriate

• Works which have been or will be created by artists with an Ohio, particularly Northeast Ohio, connection, through birth, education, and/or residence.
• Works which are consonant with the Summa Health System Healing Arts Vision: To create a healthcare environment that surrounds and connects patients, staff and visitors with the healing powers of the arts.
• Works which engage the beholder through subject matter, complexity, color, composition, form, technical attainment, scale, and/or perspective.
• Works which create a specific mood of contemplation, rest and/or exploration.
• Works which can be safely presented and maintained in a hospital environment.

Generally inappropriate

• Works with harsh colors or color combinations; color red when it suggests blood or gore.
• Works with clashing, jagged formal elements suggesting unresolved conflict.
• Works which appear to threaten physically or intimidate in size, scale, material, or other feature.
• Works with violent and/or morbid subject matter; works which insult or degrade any particular group of individuals or peoples; works which can cause distress or upset to patients, family, staff, or visitors in a hospital setting (for example works containing nudity or works with religious or political subject matter).

Ready to tell us about our art? Send us your information on our art donation page.