Creative Arts at Benioff Children’s Hospital utilizes art therapy, music therapy, and radio/ television creation to support children during their healing process.

Creative arts therapies are made possible through donor funding. If you would like to help, please click the “Give Today” button.

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People in a hospital hallway, including a woman playing guitar and singing, a woman with a baby, and two staff members in scrubs, with colorful mats on the floor, representing a cheerful environment at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals.

Music Therapy

Music Therapy draws on the innate creativity of children to help patients manage pain, express emotions, and build resilience and coping abilities. Music therapists see kids of all ages in bedside sessions and weekly group experiences.

A woman with a nurse ID badge assisting a young girl with a craft project at a colorful table in a classroom or therapy setting.

Art Therapy

Art Therapy focuses on a pediatric patients’ ability to cope with stress, isolation, pain, depression, and feeling a lack of control. Art therapy provides an opportunity for in-hospital learning, skill building, and producing expressive artwork. Pediatric patients who create visual artwork that processes their inner world, identity, and ability to take control have lower stress levels and better medical outcomes.

Group of five individuals in a recording studio with green screen, wearing face masks, and making peace signs. Equipment includes cameras, microphones, and lighting. UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals logo is in the bottom left corner.

Kaleidoscope Studios

In Kaleidoscope Studios art, music, play and technology mix to create therapeutic and playful experiences for patients and families. Staffed by media specialists, creative arts therapists and child life specialists, Kaleidoscope Studios offers video and music production, digital arts, and live TV shows.

A woman music therapist with glasses playing an acoustic guitar and a young girl sitting on a hospital bed smiling, in a hospital room with medical equipment and supplies visible.
An art therapist assisting a young girl with her art work in a creative arts studio.
A young girl and a woman are displaying a colorful abstract painting on a sheet of paper together at a table in a brightly lit room.
A young patient smiling while holding a small ukulele, sitting on a colorful foam mat in a hospital room. An adult man music therapist with glasses and a beard, making music with the child. In the background, medical equipment is visible.
A young girl with glasses and a female music therapist, sharing a joyful moment while they play guitar together. The girl has her hair tied back, and the woman has her hair in a loose bun. Behind them, medical equipment and sunshine.
A woman with brown hair in a bun is playing a guitar while a young boy lies in a hospital bed, looking at her. The boy is wearing a striped T-shirt and red shorts. The hospital room has medical equipment and supplies visible in the background.
A joyful group of people in a hospital room, including a man with glasses playing an acoustic guitar, a young girl with a bald head and colorful wristbands smiling and raising her arms, and a man with glasses and a beard sitting on the bed with a wid
Four adults playing ukuleles outside near a modern building and a tree, with UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals logo in the bottom right corner.