Art therapy reaches sick children where injections and medication cannot
The Fondation ART-THERAPIE promotes access to art therapy for as many newborns, children and adolescents as possible in Swiss hospitals, thereby improving their quality of life far beyond their hospital stay.
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Live! Live for yourself
he work was sculpted in alabaster. At first, it emerged from the patient without apparent meaning, it was not addressed to anyone. By the end of its shaping, the heart was dedicated to the patient himself, he, who was contemplating ending his life, offered it to himself, giving it a profound meaning of life. The title he gave to the work is: “Live! Live for yourself”. Alberto*, 14 years old.
In 2026, the ART- THERAPIE Foundation will be supporting 13 art therapy projects for children in 11 partner hospitals throughout Switzerland – more information about our projects here.
When a Hospital Stay Changes Everything
Illness, fear, separation, and an unfamiliar environment can take a heavy toll on children and their families.
Art therapy creates a safe space where children can express what is difficult to put into words.
EXPRESSION
Expressing what is difficult to put into words.
EMOTION
Rediscover a space for freedom and creativity.
TRUST
Strengthen the child and his or her personality beyond the illness.
Why is the Fondation ART-THERAPIE needed?
Art therapy helps hospitalized children express their feelings and find new strength.
However, many hospitals cannot fully fund this valuable therapy.
We fill this gap.
Your support makes a real difference
In 2025
“Art therapy has become an essential part of multidisciplinary care for children suffering from chronic illnesses or who are currently experiencing severe difficulties. It addresses the child and family as subjects and creators of their current reality, and helps to advance therapeutic processes in close cooperation with the medical and care team. Creative therapies encourage contact and interaction. The defensive attitudes (editor’s note: of the patients) after the many stresses are abandoned without having to show themselves or open up explicitly”.
Dr. med. Christian Henkel, Leitender Arzt / Facharzt für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie sowie für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Schwerpunkt Psychosomatische u. Psychosoziale Medizin (SAPPM), Ostschweizer Kinderspital, St. Gallen
Since 2008
In many hospitals, the implementation of art therapy programmes is still often dependent on the support of non-profit organisations such as the Fondation ART-THERAPY.
HEAD OFFICE
Fondation ART-THERAPIE
Rue de Beaumont 11
CH-1206 Genève
info(a)arttherapie.org
Postfinance : 12-731551-9
IBAN : CH29 0900 0000 1273 1551 9
CRÉDIT SUISSE AG
Compte: 0251-1489262-11
IBAN: CH19 0483 5148 9262 1100 0
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Member of proFonds, the Swiss umbrella organisation for charitable foundations and associations.
Gender Note: For the sake of readability, the masculine form is used for personal titles and personal nouns.
In the spirit of equal treatment, these terms apply to all genders.