Art Doctors

The Art Doctors playfully break down barriers to participation in contemporary art, and explore the positive role of creativity in all our lives.
We gather near art galleries, at events and online, wearing our paint splattered coats and stethoscopes, and with prescription pads at the ready. We may prescribe some art for you to go and look at or maybe an everyday creative activity for you to try at home.
We love thinking about art and creativity as a starting point for conversations and we firmly believe that every response is valid and important, whether you see yourself as an expert or not. We also believe in the power of FUN.
The Art Doctors are Leeds-based artists Alison McIntyre and Liz Stirling, with regular special guest appearances from consultants, specialists and junior doctors.
Resources
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Film – Prescribing Creativity
Beyond Measure? The Art Doctors Prescribe Creativity
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Lockdown Special Videos
During the COVID-19 lockdown we missed being able to see each other and make things together. We felt the effects...
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Toolkit for Gallery Visits
As part of our year long project Who’s Afraid of Contemporary Art? the Art Doctors, in consultation with community groups...
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Art Power – an animated film by Fe
As part of our Who’s Afraid of Contemporary Art? project Fe made this animation about how art can changed her...
Events
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Art Doctors at the Emergency Museum
We’ve partnered with Thackray Medical Museum to offer prescriptions for creative activities from their Emergency Museum (an actual ambulance… and…
Event archive
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Who’s Afraid of Contemporary Art? Exhibition
Tue, 23 April 2019 - Sat, 27 April 2019
The culmination of our Who’s Afraid of Contemporary Art? project was an exhibition at Leeds Kirkgate market, where we showcased…
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Who’s Afraid of Contemporary Art? Leeds Art Gallery Takeover
Sat, 24 November 2018 - Sat, 24 November 2018
As part of Who’s Afraid of Contemporary Art? we took over Leeds Art Gallery, offering prescriptions, slipper-making so that you…
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Emergency Museum at Kirklees Festival
Sat, 13 July 2019 - Sat, 13 July 2019
We teamed up with Thackray’s Emergency Museum to prescribe creative activities at the Kirkstall Festival in Leeds.
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Chapel Allerton Arts Festival
Sat, 1 September 2018 - Sat, 1 September 2018
We set up an Art Clinic at Chapel Allerton Arts Festival and prescribed creative activities for people to take part…
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Love Arts Festival
Sat, 14 October 2017 - Sat, 14 October 2017
We prescribed artworks in Leeds Art Gallery, focussing on health and wellbeing, as part of the Love Arts Festival.
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Park Here and Play
Sun, 13 August 2017 - Sun, 13 August 2017
With the Art Gallery closed we prescribed two minutes of focussed looking at works from the collection on an ipad…
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British Art Show 8
Sat, 31 October 2015 - Sun, 24 July 2016
The very first incarnation of the Art Doctors, prescribing work in the British Art Show 8 in Leeds and then…