Home, Health and Hope – Local artists invited to apply for hospital’s art exhibition

Artists from across the Midlands are invited to apply for the Air Arts Exhibition 2026/27, a year-long exhibition that will bring creativity into Derby and Burton hospitals.

Delivered by Air Arts, the arts programme which is part of Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity, the exhibition titled “Home, Health and Hope” explores what these three words mean in today’s world. Artists are encouraged to interpret one, two or all three themes through uplifting, thoughtful work suitable for a healthcare environment.

Successful artworks will be displayed for 12 months across Royal Derby Hospital and Queen’s Hospital, Burton, reaching more than 12,000 NHS staff and around one million patients and visitors each year.

Air Arts has a long-standing belief in the power of creativity to support wellbeing. Art in healthcare settings has been shown to reduce anxiety, provide moments of calm and distraction, and create more welcoming, human spaces for patients, visitors and staff alike. By bringing artwork into hospital corridors, waiting areas and public spaces, Air Arts helps transform clinical environments into places of comfort.

The exhibition is open to all artists – from emerging practitioners to established professionals. Submissions are welcomed across a wide range of 2D disciplines, including painting, drawing, print, photography, textiles, mixed media and collage, as well as a limited number of smaller 3D works. Air Arts is seeking work that feels positive, calming and appropriate for all ages, helping to create moments of inspiration within busy hospital settings.

New for 2026: commissioned workshops

This year, a limited number of paid workshop opportunities are available for artists to apply to design and deliver one or more creative workshops for staff in NHS hospital settings across Derby, Burton, Tamworth and Lichfield.

This is a supported opportunity for artists with workshop experience who are interested in delivering creative activity within healthcare environments.

For full details and eligibility requirements, please visit the FAQ section of the application page.

Key dates

• Application deadline: Friday 13 February 2026
• Applicants notified: Week commencing Monday 2 March 2026
• Artwork deadline for successful applicants: Friday 5 June 2026

Artists can find full details and apply online via the Air Arts application form here: https://bit.ly/air_arts_home_health_hope_exhibition