HSC Childrens Hospital Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Ward Art Project

Description

HSC Children's Hospital Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Ward Art Project

CALL TO ARTISTS

Let's reimagine hospital spaces for children who need care.

An initiative of Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba

Proposals are due January 9, 2026, 4:00pm CST
Late applications will not be accepted.

About HSC Children's Hospital
HSC Children's Hospital is Manitoba's only treatment, teaching, research and health promotion facility exclusively for infants, children and adolescents. Acting as one of three referring centres in the network, HSC Children's serves communities in Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario and parts of Saskatchewan and Nunavut.
About Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba
The mission of Children's Hospital Foundation is to improve the health of children everywhere, by inspiring our community to support excellence in child health care and child health research.

Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba has raised more than $265 million to help children get the best care experience possible by funding leading edge equipment, improved healthcare spaces, and child and family-focused programs at HSC Children's Hospital. The Foundation also supports more than 300 world-class pediatric medical researchers at the Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, involved in nearly $20 million of research and clinical trial activity each year with the goal of ground-breaking cures and clinically proven supports for pediatric care in Manitoba and around the world.

Project Overview
Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is excited to invite interested artists to create artwork to be installed on the childhood cancer and blood disorders ward of Children's Hospital.

Project Scope
Up to 20 artists will be selected to participate in this revitalizing, healing art project. The goal is to transform 15 unique inpatient units and 5 adjacent spaces on the childhood cancer and blood disorders ward of Children's Hospital into vibrant, healing environments that spark comfort, joy and imagination.

Project Mission
These artworks will provide comfort, inspiration, and hope for children and families during extended and difficult hospital stays, embodying our belief that together, we can "make anything possible."

We ask artists to provide digital artwork and a scalable design suitable for large-format vinyl printing. Once the committee has selected the finalists, their artwork will be professionally printed on durable hospital grade vinyl that will be applied directly on to 2 or 3 walls in each inpatient unit. Horizontal orientation preferred. (Please see attached 3D images of each of the 4 unique inpatient units).

Each space will be designed with diversity, equity, inclusivity and reconciliation at its heart, reflecting the diversity of children and families served with particular attention to the representation of Indigenous cultures and communities. This project aims to set the standard for creating spaces that uplift children facing the toughest journeys, create environments that support emotional well-being, and a sense of comfort through engaging, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive works of art.
We encourage artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, and disability communities.  

Artistic Vision & Theme
We believe the most powerful healing art emerges when artistic imagination meets purposeful design. Artists bring the creative vision and individual creativity that drive this project, while certain foundational elements—from color palettes to cultural inclusivity—help us create a cohesive healing environment that serves the children who will live with it during their treatment journey.

"Let's Make Anything Possible" Theme

All artwork should radiate the spirit of "Let's make anything possible" – creating a sense that no dream is too big, no goal unreachable, and every day holds potential for wonder and magic. Art should help children stay connected to their imagination, playfulness, and the joy of simply being a kid.

Emotional Goals & "Let's Make Anything Possible" Feeling

Your artwork should celebrate childhood and nurture the spirit of play:
Inspire boundless dreams and celebrate the joy of being a child – emphasize play, curiosity, laughter, and wonderCreate a sense of adventure and spark imagination – provide delightful distraction that transports children to magical worlds and imaginary journeysNurture hope and optimism – remind children that there's always something wonderful to discover or dream aboutEncourage playfulness – show that it's always okay to be silly, creative, and imaginative

Themes to Highlight:
Nature, animals, movement, imagination, and play to promote curiosity and reduce anxietyUniversal themes of friendship, family, and possibility that resonate across culturesAge-appropriate content suitable for a wide range of ages and cultural backgrounds
Content Guidelines
Content to Avoid
To ensure artwork creates a healing environment appropriate for all children and families, please avoid the following:
✗ Medical imagery or hospital references
✗ Potentially frightening elements (storms, darkness, conflict, scary animals)
✗ Cartoon characters, mascots, or pop culture references (these date quickly and may not remain relevant)
✗ Branded logos or commercial references of any kind
✗ Tokenistic cultural references or stereotypical cultural imagery
✗ Seasonal designs (Christmas, Halloween, etc.) that limit year-round appropriateness
✗ Overly complex or chaotic compositions that might feel overwhelming
✗ Religious symbols that might exclude some families
✗ Any content that might trigger anxiety during illness
✗ Loud or jarring color schemes, overstimulating visuals
Visual Requirements
Colour Palette
When creating your design you may use your choice of ‘uplifting’ colours. And, in an effort to create a flowing, cohesive healing environment we ask that you also select and incorporate at least 3 colours from the list below.

Available Colors
Primary Purple, Accent Red, Healthcare Teal, Warm Orange, Sunshine Yellow, Supporting Blue. (Please see colour chart).
Technical Specifications

Colors must maintain vibrancy under institutional fluorescent lighting conditionsDesign should reproduce effectively when printed on hospital-grade vinylAvoid extremely fine details that may be lost in reproduction

Hospital Environment Context
Hospital walls may occasionally experience damage due to medical equipment, maintenance, or patient care activities.
With your participation in this project, artists agree to authorize reprinting of their artwork if unexpected damage occurs within the first 10 years of installation. This agreement ensures that children's rooms can be quickly restored with healing artwork when needed, maintaining the therapeutic environment that supports their wellbeing.

Cultural Sensitivity & Inclusion
Indigenous Awareness
With 60% of patients being First Nations, Métis, or Inuit children, artwork should:
Respect and welcome all cultural backgrounds without appropriating specific cultural symbolsUse universal themes of nature, friendship, family, and possibility that resonate across culturesAvoid imagery that might be culturally exclusive or inappropriateInclude representation of diverse children and families in meaningful, non-stereotypical ways

Family-Centered Approach
Remember that artwork will be viewed by:
Children of all ages during treatmentParents and caregivers spending long hours at bedsideSiblings and extended family membersHealthcare providers working in these spaces daily
Selection Process
The commissioned artists will be selected through an open Artist Call.
Artists will submit their design incorporating; the “Let’s Make Anything Possible” theme; Content Guidelines; Visual Requirements; Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba Colour Palette and Technical Requirements.
The committee will then select 20 artists to be included in the final project.
Artist Compensation
Total Compensation: $3,000.00 per selected artist. Final proposals are due January 9, 2026
Selection Committee deliberations and decisions January 12-16, 2026
Selection Committee decisions communicated to all participating artists January 23, 2026

The Selection Committee
The Selection Committee will be comprised of representatives of community and stakeholder groups, including:
Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba (CHFM) staffChildren's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba (CHFM) volunteersSenior Hospital administration staffArts professionalsYouth with lived experience at Children's Hospital

Selection Criteria
Expressions of interest will be reviewed on the basis of:
Alignment with "Let’s Make Anything Possible" theme and healing mission (30%)Proper incorporation of required CHFM color palette (25%)Age-appropriate, uplifting content suitable for extended viewing (25%)Technical quality and suitability for hospital environment (20%)

Additional considerations
Expressed interest in this project and sensitivity to the contextQualifications and experience of the artistAbility to produce high quality art by the required dateAbility to meet the technical requirements of the project

How to Submit

Submission Process
Create an account on the submission platformReview all sections of the online submission form before beginningComplete all required fields (you can save and edit your proposal as much as you like before submitting)
Required Materials
Artist statement (200 words maximum) explaining how your work embodies "Let’s Making Anything Possible", and aligns with the Vision for the Children's Hospital childhood cancer and blood disorders ward, recognizing sensitivity to creating healing spaces for children.Artist biography (100 words maximum), informing the committee about your art practice and experience with similar projectsPortfolio samples - attach up to eight supporting image attachments (jpeg files, 1MB each maximum)Amongst the images you are submitting, please clearly identify the completed digital image that you would like to have considered for one of the 4 newly remodeled inpatient units as per supplied 3D sample rooms. In addition to your own colour choices, the digital image must also include 3 CHFM branded colours as per the colour palette.Acceptance of Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba's Code of Conduct
Artist Recognition & Media Expectations
Selected artists will:
Have artwork permanently displayed in childhood cancer and blood disorders ward patient rooms at Manitoba's only children's hospitalBe recognized as community partners in children's healing and hopeReceive formal acknowledgment and documentation of community contribution

Media Availability Requirement
Selected artists' information including bios, artwork descriptions and images will be included in Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba's promotional materials and distributed to media. Artists will be expected to make themselves available for media requests and interviews.
Long-Term Impact
This artwork will:
Provide daily inspiration for children during weeks or months of treatmentOffer families positive focal points during difficult conversations and proceduresSupport healthcare providers by creating more hopeful, healing environmentsDemonstrate community support for children's healthcare across Manitoba
Code of Conduct Statement
Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is intent on creating a welcoming, inclusive, safe and respectful environment for this revitalization art project for all involved by being:
Inclusive and respectful of people of every race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, ability, sexual orientation, nationality, religion or ageOpposed to all forms of harassmentIntentional with words and refraining from any kind of abusive or offensive languageMindful of the personal space and boundaries of others

Those found in violation of the Code of Conduct may face sanctions or be removed from the project.
By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

Ready to Help Make Anything Possible?
Transform young lives and bring hope to patient rooms at HSC Children's Hospital. Your creativity can provide comfort, spark imagination, and remind every child that their dreams have no limits.

Together, we're making world-class care possible for every child who needs it.
Submit your application by January 9, 2026, 4:00pm CST
For questions or additional information:
Stephen Wilson
Executive Director, Graffiti Art Programming Inc.
204-667-9960
info@graffitigallery.ca
Children's Hospital Foundation of Manitoba
Goodbear.ca

User Entry Process Tutorial

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