Gold Coast Health has received valuable feedback from staff, patients, artists, First Nations representatives and the community to guide the Arts in Health strategy for the New Coomera Hospital.
More than 150 responses were gathered through a five-week survey and focus group in May and June 2025, led by Gold Coast Health’s Creative Health Hub. The consultation invited ideas on how art can support healing, connection and a welcoming environment throughout the new hospital.
Creative Health Hub Manager Maddie Collins said the consultation results reinforced the power of the arts in health care settings.
“Arts in Health plays an important role in promoting health and wellbeing by creating dynamic, inspiring environments,” Maddie said.
“The therapeutic benefits of art are widely recognised, and we are proud to be part of an organisation and a community that values this so highly.”
Respondents called for artwork that feels calm, inclusive and reflective of the northern Gold Coast’s natural beauty and diverse cultural identity. There was strong support for involving local artists and opportunities for staff, patients and community members to co-create works that reflect shared stories and experiences.
“Safe, grounded, included, proud, inspired – these emotions are essential when navigating stress or illness.”
Reflecting place, culture and Country
A recurring theme in the consultation was the importance of acknowledging and honouring First Nations peoples and Country. Community members strongly supported the inclusion of artwork that recognises the cultural significance of the Coomera area to the Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples and encourages respectful engagement with stories, symbols, and perspectives passed down through generations.
“We walk on Yugambeh Country. Acknowledge this visually and meaningfully.”
“It’s home to vibrant First Nations stories, families and future.”
Participants called for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to be involved in shaping artworks that offer a sense of belonging, cultural safety and connection for all who enter the hospital.
There was also widespread recognition of the region’s multicultural identity, with respondents encouraging visual storytelling that reflects the many communities that call the northern Gold Coast home.
“Let art reflect the many cultures that make up the Gold Coast – we all belong here.”
Celebrating people, stories and connection
Respondents highlighted the importance of celebrating local stories, from the area’s natural landscape to everyday acts of care by health care workers, families and volunteers. There was strong support for artwork that honours both personal journeys and collective identity.
“Doctors and nurses who show up every day to care for us.”
“A story that tells the stories of all the health care workers, past and present.”
Many participants also encouraged opportunities for collaborative artwork that brings together contributions from patients, school groups and staff.
“It would be amazing to have a mosaic or mural that the community helps make.”
“Art by patients, especially children, is so touching – it tells a story only they can share.”
Supporting access and inclusion
Accessibility was identified as a key priority, with suggestions to ensure artwork is inclusive of people with disability, older adults and neurodiverse individuals. Participants recommended sensory-friendly design, tactile artworks, varied installation heights and audio description.
“Art should be touchable or audio-described. Include people with disability in the design process.”
Next steps
The feedback gathered through this consultation will now be used to guide the development of the Arts in Health Curatorial Strategy for the New Coomera Hospital.
This includes defining curatorial themes and principles, identifying priority locations for artwork across the facility and beginning the process of selecting artists, particularly those with strong local, cultural and lived experience connections. Opportunities will focus on incorporating a diverse range of styles and mediums, with an emphasis on collaboration, cultural safety and community involvement.
First Nations voices and stories will play a central role in shaping the strategy, ensuring visual acknowledgment of Country is meaningful, respectful and integrated throughout the hospital environment.
Gold Coast Health thanks all contributors for their insights and looks forward to sharing future opportunities for community involvement as the project progresses.
For more on the New Coomera Hospital, visit the website.
