Currently curated exhibition program at Forbes, Parkes, Trundle, Condobolin.
OVERVIEW
Hospital reception areas and hallways are commonly treated as a threshold or holding bay. A positive patient experience from the outset can improve the overall experience of care while showcasing and fostering greater trust in the service. An improved environment can reduce anxieties by being more comfortable, engaging and safe. Arts OutWest are working with Health staff to develop projects and programs that are appropriate to the needs of the Western NSW LHD. Curated and managed by Steven Cavanagh, the aim of the program is to create a sustainable Arts and Health exhibition program in local Multi-Purpose Services and hospitals.
Steven works with John Sarkissian at Parkes Telescope to select and exhibit Astro Photography from The David Malin Awards in the hallways of Parkes and Forbes Hospitals. He works with Heather Blackley and the Arts Council at Condobolin to curate quarterly exhibitions at Condobolin Hospital. He also works with aboriginal groups, local schools and arts societies to deliver curated exhibitions along the hallways of the local health services.
Steven has designed an exhibition circuit of artworks like that of metropolitan and regional galleries. This is designed to broaden the reach and engagement with art and artists across LGA boundaries. Hospitals now share exhibitions where possible and appropriate. This program demonstrates the arts as a positive partner for health and wellbeing in our regional areas.
EXHIBITIONS 2026
The program of cycling work amongst the participating hospitals and MPSs continues, with a focus on photography and new local work. See the project stories below for highlights.
Arts OutWest, in partnership with Health Infrastructure, are working within Blayney Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) Residential Aged Care, using art making experiences to both engage residents and create new artworks for the space.
This collaborative reflection not only honours the creativity and messages of past decades but also empowers our students to carry these inspirations forward. We are proud of their thoughtful engagement and look forward to seeing how they will continue to express these values in their journey ahead.
Arts OutWest current work from aged care, to hospitals and artists with disability.
Applications close 5pm – Friday 15 May 2026
Arts OutWest, in partnership with Health Infrastructure, is seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from visual artists to undertake a 7-week workshop residency (2 hours per week) within Blayney Multi-Purpose Service (MPS).
Performers from Compareo and ViV! open the week of events at Bathurst Hospital
Fabulous trip out to Condobolin Health Service this week to hang new work in the corridor. A beautiful exhibition from 6 local photographers exploring portraiture, landscape, botanical, still life and wildlife.
New art works have been rotated and installed in the hospitals where we coordinate exhibition programs. Meanwhile work in the disability sector is growing.
The new Cowra Hospital has just opened. Work by 16 local artists is featured in the layout: paintings, sculpture, works on paper, ceramics, photography – and even an award-winning film work.
July 11. Arts and Health Coordinator Steven Cavanagh accompanied artists on a site visit for the new Cowra Hospital Redevelopment.
A NAIDOC exhibition was installed this week at Condobolin Hospital celebrates the long history of the Condobolin Early Learning Centre with work by current children.
Arts OutWest’s Arts & Health Coordinator Steven Cavanagh assisted the Condobolin Wednesday Art Group to install a wonderful exhibition of paintings and mixed media drawings at Condobolin Health Service.
For over 50 years, Rex has had an association with the Condobolin Community Centre and working with the Arts and Crafts Society. His coordinating, curating and hanging skills have been much sort after for many art exhibitions within the region, including the Lachlan Shire Art and the Condobolin Art Prizes.
Framed video stills from While the World Waits have been placed along the main corridor of Forbes Hospital with QR codes so patients, staff and visitors can watch the animated works in full on their phones.
We launched the new Bathurst Community Mental Health Mural on Friday 9 August. Mural artists and Bathurst Hospital staff came together to create the final configuration of the mural panels.
Our program of art in hospitals this July 2024 sees new work at Trundle, Parkes and Forbes.
Norma Cairns and her teaching had a big impact on many. Norma donated many works for fundraising. Her last project of her own printed art cards was to raise funds for cancer research – a subject dear to her heart
In September 2023 Steven Cavanagh our arts & health officer switched up the exhibitions at two of the region’s hospitals, bringing a fresh feel to each with local art.
Opened Thursday 6 July 2023 at Condobolin Health Service.
A collaborative arts project to create healing environments working with the Infant Child Youth Family Mental Health Unit (ICYFMHU) is underway at Bloomfield campus (Orange) in the redeveloped Yaganda Bulabul Building.
Christine and Steven have begun work on the THREE RIVERS mural project we have been commissioned to undertake throughout the child and adolescent mental health unit at Bloomfield Hospital Orange.
EXHIBITIONS 2025
See the stories above.
EXHIBITIONS 2024
Forbes Hospital
- Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder – Waterbirds Breeding Spectacular
- Forbes Arts Society – Where We Are At Now
- Forbes Arts Society – Welcome to the World
- Parkes Telescope – David Malin Photography Awards
- Arts OutWest – While the World Waits Film Stills
Parkes Hospital
- Parkes Telescope – David Malin Photography Awards
- Arts OutWest Media Associates – Behind the Lens
- Forbes Arts Society – Works on Paper
- Forbes Arts Society – Where We Are At Now
Condobolin Health Service
- Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder – Waterbirds Breeding Spectacular
- NAIDOC Week – Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud
- Rex Press – A Retrospective Collection
Trundle MPS
- Arts OutWest Media Associates – Behind the Lens
- Trundle Central School & St Patricks School – Joy
5 hospitals in exhibition program
14 exhibitions
98 artists
EXHIBTIONS 2023
Forbes Hospital: 3 exhibitions over 12 months.
- Forbes Arts Society
- Astro Photography: David Malin Awards
- Forbes Shire Council collection of drawings
Parkes Hospital: 2 exhibitions over 12 months
- Astro Photography: David Malin Awards
- An exhibition of artwork by primary school children in Parkes
Condobolin Hospital: 4 exhibitions over 12 months
- Naidoc Week – Central West Family Support Girls Group: ‘For Our Elders’
- Karen Tooth: ‘A Mixed Bag’
- Norma Cairns: A Collection of Works Retrospective
- Waterbirds Breeding Spectacular: Exhibition of photography
Trundle MPS: 2 exhibitions over 12 months
- An exhibition of artwork by the school children in Trundle: ‘Joy’
- Oberon Art Group: Artworks made by Oberon MPS residents artist run workshops
Oberon MPS: 1 exhibition over 12 months
- Oberon Art Group: Artwork made by Oberon MPS residents in artist run workshops
Location: Hospitals and MPS (Multi-Purpose Health Services) in Forbes, Parkes, Trundle, Oberon, Condobolin
When: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 as part of an ongoing program since 2008
Funded by: Various including Arts OutWest core program funding
Project officer: Steven Cavanagh
Partnering with: Western NSW Local Health District
Main image: Karen Tooth exhibition installed at Condobolin Hospital in 2023.