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
Latest news
Art prizes bring new works into NHS Lothian settings, …
Patients, visitors and staff across NHS Lothian will benefit from new additions to the Tonic Arts collection, following the award of three purchase prizes at major Scottish exhibitions in 2026.
Edinburgh Artist Reunited with Long-Lost Painting at t…
What began as an ordinary hospital visit turned into an extraordinary moment of rediscovery for one Edinburgh artist and a heartwarming reminder of the stories hanging on the walls of our hospitals.
New Staff Wellbeing Space Officially Opens at St John�…
We were delighted to official open the new dedicated staff wellbeing space at St John’s, designed to provide a calm and restorative environment away from the clinical setting.
Art for Health: RSA200 Exhibition Arrives at the Royal…
This spring, Tonic Arts is hosting RSA200 Art for Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh – part of a Scotland-wide touring programme celebrating the Royal Scottish Academy’s 200th anniversary.
What’s on
Healing Arts Scotland | National Conference
As part of a week long celebration of Arts in Health, join the Tonic Arts team and peers for a […]
Healing Arts Scotland | Edinburgh & Lothians Day
Join the Tonic Arts team and peers for a day of sharing practice, celebrating achievement and connecting with others working across arts and health in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
BOLD by Caroline Sikkenk
A photography exhibition highlighting the experiences of women living with breast cancer including patients from the Western General Hospital. We […]
Art for Health – Scottish Healthcare Collective
A Scottish NHS Arts Partners Touring Exhibition: two touring exhibitions of visual artworks by RSA Academicians and award winners.
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.
Our Work
Tonic Commissions
Tonic Collection
Tonic Exhibitions
Tonic Participation
The Biffa Garden Angels joined our RIE Nature Ranger Lou, weeding and planting a newly enhanced green space. This was a case of many hands make light work and we can`t thank them enough for their help!
Also how good do they look in our branded vests 😉
#GreenHealth
Get in early and secure your spot for 2027’s full marathon, half marathon, the Hairy Haggis Relay, 10K or 5k. This is Edinburgh’s biggest race, you don’t want to miss out!
Sign up today via the link in our bio/on our website!
Happy 1st of July! Our Walk 100 mile challengers have now completed their month of walking and we are EXTREMELY proud of each and every one of them! Well done to all who took part, we have loved hearing your reasons why and your updates throughout June.
Stay tuned for our total raised!
The #TonicArts Collection team have recently installed at the Royal Edinburgh Building’s Canaan Ward. Featuring a range of artworks, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Working closely with the site’s staff, a curated selection of art was chosen and installed to brighten up and refresh the spaces. From cityscapes and landscapes to cats and birds, these Tonic Collection works provide a dose of creativity, fun and enjoyment to the patients.
Framing by @detailframing
Featured artworks by @susanmitchellillustration @stephaniedeesfortune and @art_leman1
#artsandhealth
A huge thank you to Dentons for their incredible support over our 2-year partnership! We have seen them walk, run, quiz, paint, volunteer and much more! Well done to their team who raised an incredible £24,358.96 for our Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh fund.
Our Nature Ranger Lou at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh has been busy teaching staff how to grow herbs and veg on their windowsills at home! On the growing agenda was basil, peas shoots followed by much laughter!
We can`t wait to hear how their plants are getting on!
Looking for a fun way to raise money with your friends, colleagues or family?
Look no further as we are giving away FREE places to you and your loved ones for the Edinburgh Kiltwalk!
There is only a limited number available so get yours today via our website!
*link in bio
Our #TonicArts Collection Team recently completed and install of 11 works at the Royal Edinburgh Building’s Balcarres Ward. Featuring bold and abstract prints, the selected works were thoughtfully curated to enhance the overall feel of the space – adding a dose of creativity and colour to previously clinical-looking areas. The impact of the artwork install was immediately noticed, providing a sense of joy and warmth to the areas used by both patients and staff.
Framing by @detailframing
Featured artworks by @davidshrigley #JohnMacLean @scottcampbellmodern @mattkerrphoto and @darktownresident
#adoseofcreativity #artsandhealth @nhs_lothian