Health in the Arts Program

The Health in the Arts Program offers specific curative and preventive therapies to persons working in the arts. There is increasing recognition that work in the arts can involve health risks such as exposures to toxic materials and hazardous physical conditions. Injuries and repetitive motion disorders can also result from practice and from work in the arts.

Medical specialists in this program treat arts workers with health concerns that may be caused by their work or affect their ability to work. These specialists also work with the arts communities to investigate and prevent hazardous work practices among art students, hobbyists and professionals. The focus of these efforts includes:

• Diagnosis and treatment of arts-related disorders – Symptoms caused by or affecting work in the arts, including exposures to chemicals, fumes, dust and toxic materials; acute and chronic injuries; repetitive motion disorder.
• Education on hazards in the arts – Educational programs and materials; art hazards information; Health in Arts conferences; Websites, links and online health and safety library.
• Workplace safety and hazard control – Safety and health assessments; Industrial Hygiene assistance; hazard control and ventilation; personal protective equipment; information on toxic exposures.
• Research on the causes and prevention of arts-related disorders – Diagnoses and treatment choices; health concerns for the arts; toxicities of art materials.
• Special Services – Museum health and safety; Rehabilitation for arts workers; respirator examinations; medical surveillance examinations.