Tonic Arts

Enhancing environments and enriching experiences.

Tonic Arts is NHS Lothian Charity’s vibrant, award-winning arts in health programme, creatively enhancing the patient, staff and visitor experience at NHS Lothian.

Working in partnership with staff and patients, we deliver a diverse arts programme of events, workshops, exhibitions and site-specific art commissions that help improve staff and patient health and wellbeing across the NHS Lothian community.

Watch our video to find out more about how we use art and creativity to enhance health and wellbeing

27 June, 2025

Nicola Benedetti brings festival experience to patient…

We were delighted to welcome Nicola Benedetti, Director of the Edinburgh International Festival and world-renowned violinist, to the Royal Infirmary […]

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Music in Hospitals and Care musician Charlie Gorman performing at the Hive, Royal Edinburgh Hospital

14 May, 2025

Music jams help to improve mental health and wellbeing…

Music jams bring the healing power of live music to the Royal Edinburgh hospital during Mental Health Awareness Week.

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Group of patients sitting in chairs dancing with Dance Base Instructor.

11 April, 2025

Healing Through Dance: Gentle Movement Classes Boost W…

In a heartwarming collaboration between Dance Base and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts, patients at East Lothian Community Hospital are […]

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EIF Festival Fridays bring music to children at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

8 April, 2025

Encore! NHS Festival Sessions Return for 2025 Bringing…

Our 2025 NHS Festival Sessions will once again bring the magic of world-class musical performances directly to patients, families, staff, and volunteers across NHS Lothian hospitals.

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What’s on

Photographs of the pictures from the Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh event by Julia Murden.

2 April, 2025 – 24 September, 2025 / Tonic Gallery 1, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XU

Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh: An Art Exhibition by Julia Murden

Explore Julia Murden’s Mindful Walks in West Edinburgh exhibition at The Western General Hospital, featuring art inspired by mindful walking […]

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Joint Tonic Arts and Green Health Network Event

13 May, 2025 / Usher Building, The University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Road Edinburgh EH16 4UX

Positive Health: Green Health and Tonic Arts Network Gathering 2025

Our 2025 Network Gathering is a platform for sharing knowledge, building partnerships, and advancing positive health initiatives using creativity and nature.

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As part of the Edinburgh International Festival, the London Symphony Orchestra play at a Hospital in the Lothians. Image © to Mihaela Bodlovic

9 April, 2025 – 10 September, 2025 / Hospitals across NHS Lothian

NHS Festival Sessions

We’re thrilled to be continuing our exciting partnership with Edinburgh International Festival, bringing world class artists to perform for patients and staff across NHS Lothian.

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Joint Tonic Arts and Green Health Network Event

10 June, 2025 / Online

Tonic Arts Network: Using Art and Design to Transform Healthcare Spaces

Join us for our next online network event to discover more about our Havens participatory project, other staff wellbeing projects and how to develop them.

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Spotlight on: Havens

NHS Lothian Charity’s programmes, Tonic Arts and Green Health, in partnership with Stills Gallery, are proud to present ‘Havens’ – a series of portraits and stories documenting NHS Lothian staff members’ work-life experiences. 

Craig Easton taking a picture of Linda at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Our Work

tiled Corridor © Frances Priest - Tonic Commissions

Tonic Commissions

We support and manage arts, design and selected Greenspace commissioning programmes, developed with patient and staff engagement and collaboration.
Tonic Collections

Tonic Collection

The Art Collection plays an important role in the improved health and wellbeing of staff, patients and visitors with over 2,500 artworks displayed across over 30 NHS Lothian sites.
Saudade © Katherina Axemo, exhibited as part of the Leaves exhibition

Tonic Exhibitions

We curate temporary exhibitions at seven gallery spaces across five NHS Lothian hospital sites, showcasing a dynamic and diverse range of artworks including patient and staff work alongside professional and commissioned work.
Engagement

Tonic Participation

Our Participation Programme brings the transformative power of the arts to patients, caregivers and staff in healthcare settings across NHS Lothian, inspiring individuals and helping them to connect and communicate to improve wellbeing.
On #WorldNatureConservationDay, we’re celebrating the completion of NHS Lothian’s first Biodiversity Action Plan — a pioneering move for healthcare in Scotland.

Together, we’re: 
🌿 Enhancing habitats
🌳 Expanding green spaces
🦋 Supporting wildlife
💚 Creating places of wellbeing for all

Let’s grow a greener NHS, one space at a time.

#GreenHealth #Biodiversity #NHSScotland #SustainableHealthcare #HealingWithNature

On #WorldNatureConservationDay, we’re celebrating the completion of NHS Lothian’s first Biodiversity Action Plan — a pioneering move for healthcare in Scotland.

Together, we’re:
🌿 Enhancing habitats
🌳 Expanding green spaces
🦋 Supporting wildlife
💚 Creating places of wellbeing for all

Let’s grow a greener NHS, one space at a time.

#GreenHealth #Biodiversity #NHSScotland #SustainableHealthcare #HealingWithNature
...

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Introducing Chloe, one of our #CharityChampions who recently raised over £1400 for our Scoliosis Research Fund after 6 weeks of training she took completed her first 5k at @ParkrunUk! 🤩

Chloe said "Being diagnosed at 20 years old with idiopathic scoliosis myself was a shock, but with the help of amazing friends, family, Thanos and his team it has made me more resilient and determined! I want to stay active and set myself new challenges!  It’s been a challenging but rewarding 6 weeks of preparation, and I’m so proud of what’s been achieved and most importantly the amount raised for such an incredible cause." 

Well Done Chloe!!!👏 
Thinking about taking part in an event and want to support us like Chloe?  Contact us today! 
#fundraising #charityevents

Introducing Chloe, one of our #CharityChampions who recently raised over £1400 for our Scoliosis Research Fund after 6 weeks of training she took completed her first 5k at @ParkrunUk! 🤩

Chloe said "Being diagnosed at 20 years old with idiopathic scoliosis myself was a shock, but with the help of amazing friends, family, Thanos and his team it has made me more resilient and determined! I want to stay active and set myself new challenges! It’s been a challenging but rewarding 6 weeks of preparation, and I’m so proud of what’s been achieved and most importantly the amount raised for such an incredible cause."

Well Done Chloe!!!👏
Thinking about taking part in an event and want to support us like Chloe? Contact us today!
#fundraising #charityevents
...

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📣Calling all runners!📣

Missed out on the TCS London Marathon ballot? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered! 
We’re thrilled to offer 2 charity places to run in support of our treasured NHS.
Applications are NOW OPEN—apply today and be a champion for healthcare heroes!
Already secured a ballot place? Join our team and run for a cause that matters. 
Apply via the link in our bio!🏃‍♂️
#LondonMarathon #RunForCharity #NHSHeroes #TCSMarathon #CharityRunner

📣Calling all runners!📣

Missed out on the TCS London Marathon ballot? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
We’re thrilled to offer 2 charity places to run in support of our treasured NHS.
Applications are NOW OPEN—apply today and be a champion for healthcare heroes!
Already secured a ballot place? Join our team and run for a cause that matters.
Apply via the link in our bio!🏃‍♂️
#LondonMarathon #RunForCharity #NHSHeroes #TCSMarathon #CharityRunner
...

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Be a #CharityChampion and join us on 14th September 2025 for the Kiltwalk Edinburgh!
Every step you take helps us support NHS Lothian staff and patients.
Together, we can go further.
Sign up via the link in our bio! 
#CharityChallenge #Fundraiser #Kiltwalk

Be a #CharityChampion and join us on 14th September 2025 for the Kiltwalk Edinburgh!
Every step you take helps us support NHS Lothian staff and patients.
Together, we can go further.
Sign up via the link in our bio!
#CharityChallenge #Fundraiser #Kiltwalk
...

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