The Healing Arts: Inspire 2017

For over 15 years, The Healing Arts has been bringing the power of creative expression—music, drawing, dance, and more—to children and families coping with illness or injury at Rhode Island and Hasbro Children’s hospitals. Along the way, a realization emerged: the arts are an essential, not an alternative, part of patient care. This recognition is a leap forward. With it comes another big step: raising funds to give the program a secure future.

Delin Design was asked to donate to the program’s first fundraiser. Check writing, we knew, would not be enough. We wanted to be all-in. We offered to create an integrated communications campaign. The audience—from hospital employees to potential donors to regional news outlets—was broad. The message, however, had a singular focus: On October 19th, 2017, we gathered to support The Healing Arts and asked our fellow community members to join us!

We created an identity to capture the program’s hopeful purpose. Bright colors and simple typography convey creativity and reassurance. Small details like the lined type treatment speak to the program’s creative mission—and our passion for it.

An integrated communications strategy was developed, launching with awareness building and transitioning to fundraising. For awareness objectives, we developed letterhead, bill stuffers, educational one-pagers, comprehensive press kit, and video. We also extended the creative into the stair risers at the Providence Art Club. For fundraising we created save-the-date/invitation emails and a program guide appeal.

Reworking a traditional program guide was also a key goal. How could we evolve it from what is typically a throw-away? Our guide will use art and story to continue the dialogue, as well as auction items and sponsors. Because, opening minds to what this program can do isn’t a one-time message.

The response to the event was fantastic. We set a high goal—raise $20,000!—and we were thrilled when the final tally was over $30,000. The Healing Arts program, as well as the event itself, has received extensive media coverage from NBC affiliate WJAR, which also joined as a lead sponsor along with Rhode Island Medical Imaging. Almost a dozen other sponsors answered the appeal for help. In addition, close to 100 auction items were donated for silent auction. If you’d like to donate to the program or learn more, please click on the link below.

Learn more about this program