Blair Sadler's 10 Rules for HealthCare Art Projects

Blair Sadler speaking at the Museum of Modern Art this week

Blair Sadler gave one of the best talks at the Symposium on The Value and Importance of Art in Health Care on Friday. First he gave an inspirational tour of some innovative art programs that have won the Healing Arts Award.

He went on to give some very practical advice on how to win the support of Hospital Administrators for Arts projects. He can speak with authority on this since he was the CEO of a large hospital for many years; he knows the concerns of hospital administrators.

Blair's 10 Rules for Adding Value to HealthCare Organizations through the Arts:

1. Do your homework
   Understand your client's strategic, operational and financial realities.
2. Begin with a sure success project:
   One with a high likelihood of visible and widespread impact.
3. Make a compelling case:
   Describe how the project will help your client win in their market.
4. Find effective champions:
   Seek credible internal advocates who will support the project.
5. Secure funding from new sources:
   Find art (not healthcare) donors.
6. Understand the emerging new evidence and decide what is relevant to your project.
7. Commit to research:
   Collaborate with your client to develop pre-project baseline measures.
   Measure the impact on patients, families, employees, volunteers or donors.
8. Provide regular progress reports:
   Include key leaders and donors.
9. Meet your deadlines and budget.
   No exceptions, no excuses.
10. Share the credit with your client and publish your results.