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

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.

Read more
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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Natasha Russell mural outside the Glasshouses at REH

3 April, 2025

Creatively Minded and Visual Arts Project at Royal Edi…

This prestigious Design in Mental Health Award recognises the significant contribution of art to enhancing the hospital environment and promoting wellbeing.

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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 […]

Find out more
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.

Find out more
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.

Find out more
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.

Find out more

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.
Have you visited the Royal Infirmary recently?👀 Our Nature Ranger and Volunteer have been busy helping improve the entrance way. 🪴 Let us know if you have noticed the planters! #GreenHealth #Gardening #Improvements

Have you visited the Royal Infirmary recently?👀 Our Nature Ranger and Volunteer have been busy helping improve the entrance way. 🪴 Let us know if you have noticed the planters! #GreenHealth #Gardening #Improvements ...

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Do you have a passion for art and a desire to give back? We're looking for dedicated Art Collection Volunteers to support our Tonic Arts programme. You'll help enrich hospital environments by contributing to the care of our art collection, as well as help patients, staff, and visitors engage with art in healthcare settings.

Find out more and apply by visiting: https://ow.ly/mkHZ50W37ne

#TonicArts #VolunteerWithUs #ArtInHealth #VolunteerOpportunities #HospitalArtCollection  #GiveBack #MakeADifference

Do you have a passion for art and a desire to give back? We`re looking for dedicated Art Collection Volunteers to support our Tonic Arts programme. You`ll help enrich hospital environments by contributing to the care of our art collection, as well as help patients, staff, and visitors engage with art in healthcare settings.

Find out more and apply by visiting: https://ow.ly/mkHZ50W37ne

#TonicArts #VolunteerWithUs #ArtInHealth #VolunteerOpportunities #HospitalArtCollection #GiveBack #MakeADifference
...

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An exciting day for colleagues based at West Port yesterday with the delivery of some goodies from the Bike Station.

We're delighted to have supported the West Port Bike User Group with tools and spares, to help you get home safely. Find everything you need for unexpected repairs, including:
- Pumps, levers, and hex tools
- Puncture repair kits (patches, spray, inner tubes) 

There are also two sets of rechargeable bike lights in case you get caught out after dark. Please remember to return them as soon as you can for others to use. 

Happy cycling 🚲

@the_bikestation #WestPortBikeUserGroup #NHSLothian #CycleToWork #StaffWellbeing #BikeSafety

An exciting day for colleagues based at West Port yesterday with the delivery of some goodies from the Bike Station.

We`re delighted to have supported the West Port Bike User Group with tools and spares, to help you get home safely. Find everything you need for unexpected repairs, including:
- Pumps, levers, and hex tools
- Puncture repair kits (patches, spray, inner tubes)

There are also two sets of rechargeable bike lights in case you get caught out after dark. Please remember to return them as soon as you can for others to use.

Happy cycling 🚲

@the_bikestation #WestPortBikeUserGroup #NHSLothian #CycleToWork #StaffWellbeing #BikeSafety
...

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Registration is NOW OPEN for EMF 2026, and we’ve got an exclusive 25% OFF early bird discount just for you! 🎉

Use code EMF2026EARLYBIRD when you sign up to secure your spot and support life-saving projects across NHS Lothian. 

This is your chance to run for a cause, challenge yourself, and save on your entry fee – but hurry, this offer won’t last long! ⏳

👉 Sign up today and let’s make 2026 a year to remember. Link in bio.

#EMF2026 #EdinburghMarathonFestival #CharityRun #RunForACause #NHS

Registration is NOW OPEN for EMF 2026, and we’ve got an exclusive 25% OFF early bird discount just for you! 🎉

Use code EMF2026EARLYBIRD when you sign up to secure your spot and support life-saving projects across NHS Lothian.

This is your chance to run for a cause, challenge yourself, and save on your entry fee – but hurry, this offer won’t last long! ⏳

👉 Sign up today and let’s make 2026 a year to remember. Link in bio.

#EMF2026 #EdinburghMarathonFestival #CharityRun #RunForACause #NHS
...

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Wishing the very best of luck to everyone participating in the thrilling Kelpies Experience tomorrow! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure. We hope you soak in the stunning views and feel amazing as you conquer the course. You've got this! 🐴💪

Wishing the very best of luck to everyone participating in the thrilling Kelpies Experience tomorrow! Get ready for an unforgettable adventure. We hope you soak in the stunning views and feel amazing as you conquer the course. You`ve got this! 🐴💪 ...

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🎨 Join our Tonic Arts Team! 🎨

We're hiring:
✨ Participation Officer
✨ Art & Design Enhancements Project Manager

Help bring the arts to healthcare environments and make a real impact across NHS Lothian.

But be quick as the closing date is tomorrow!

🗓️ Apply by 9 June - link in bio

#ArtsInHealth #CreativeJobs #TonicArts #NHSLothian #Charity

🎨 Join our Tonic Arts Team! 🎨

We`re hiring:
✨ Participation Officer
✨ Art & Design Enhancements Project Manager

Help bring the arts to healthcare environments and make a real impact across NHS Lothian.

But be quick as the closing date is tomorrow!

🗓️ Apply by 9 June - link in bio

#ArtsInHealth #CreativeJobs #TonicArts #NHSLothian #Charity
...

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