On April 7, World Health Day, the Vancouver Art Gallery launched a new collaboration with BC Parks Foundation’s PaRx, Canada’s national nature prescription program. The collaboration which enables healthcare professionals to prescribe a nature-inspired visit to the "Emily Carr: Navigating an Impenetrable Landscape" exhibit in support of patients’ mental health and psychological wellbeing.

The collaboration is the first of its kind in Canada, providing an immersive indoor art and nature experience in an urban setting. During the first year of the program, each prescribed visitor and their optional guest will receive free admission to the gallery, thereby fostering social connections while removing financial barriers. A special printed guide for the exhibit will be available, encouraging visitors to take their time looking at the paintings, connect to the images of nature, and reflect on how the experience makes them feel. The gallery anticipates approximately 4,000 individuals to benefit from the social prescribing initiative during this pilot year.

The development of programs that connect social prescribing with cultural organizations is vital and can alleviate significant pressure on our traditional healthcare system, according to the gallery. Developed in collaboration with health and wellbeing experts, as well as organizations that believe in art’s capacity to heal, the prescription ensures that specific individuals who could benefit from engagement with the arts have access to these experiences.

To learn more or register as a prescriber, click here