CALO Member Spotlight: Diane Brown, Founder & President of RxART

Twenty-five years ago, Diane Brown stood at a personal crossroads—one that would spark a movement to transform healing spaces across the world. In 2000, while undergoing a medical scan, Diane lay in a sterile hospital room feeling vulnerable and afraid. In that moment, she summoned an artwork by Matthew Ritchie in her mind—imagining it stretching across the walls and ceiling. This act of mental escape brought her comfort, and a powerful idea was born: what if art could bring the same sense of relief and inspiration to other patients in medical environments?

Out of that vision, RxART was founded. Since its inception, Diane has led the nonprofit as its Founder and President, driven by a mission to transform pediatric hospitals through site-specific installations by today’s leading contemporary artists. Her goal: to help children “get out of the hospital” through imagination and beauty—even if just for a moment.

Photos courtesy of RxArt, Scanner featuring art by Jeff Koons

But it wasn’t easy in the early days. Convincing hospitals that challenging, uplifting art could aid healing—particularly in such high-stress environments—was a major hurdle. Diane recalls, “Today there is a much greater understanding that healing is holistic... the environment has a significant effect on a patient’s state of mind.” Studies show that patients who feel positive during treatment often heal more quickly and require less pain medication. Diane has always understood that medicine isn’t the only ingredient in healing.

Under her leadership, RxART has grown into a national—and now international—organization. It has completed over 60 installations in 27 cities, with more on the way. Recent projects include a breathtaking 76-foot-long mosaic by Mickalene Thomas at the newly named Ruth Bader Ginsburg/South Brooklyn Hospital and an upcoming installation by Jonas Wood at Mass General Children’s Hospital in Boston. One of RxART’s most ambitious projects yet is in progress: a massive exterior artwork on a parking garage at Children’s Hospital Colorado—viewable from both the road and hospital rooms. Diane’s dream of seeing RxART in “every city” is fast becoming a reality, with new conversations unfolding in Canada and Europe.

Art by Shara Huges in the Phoenix Children's Hospital, Photos courtesy of RxArt

Throughout this journey, Diane has remained rooted in a simple but powerful idea: art can heal. “The ancient Greeks had healing temples filled with music, poetry, sculpture,” she says. “Illness is so stressful. If we can help patients, their families, and staff feel more relaxed, we’re absolutely making a difference.”

Art by Takashi Murakami at the Children's National Hospital, Photos courtesy of RxArt

As a CALO Forum member, Diane was initially hesitant, but she quickly opened up and hasn’t looked back. She shares, “We are a small team at RxART and CALO is a big time commitment. I was not sure at first that it was for me. I am enjoying our forum immensely, however, and learning from all the very different but equally committed nonprofit directors. I am so glad to have been given this opportunity.”

Learn more about RxART’s impact:

The Guardian: “Mickalene Thomas and Jeff Koons: the artists bringing hope to children’s hospitals”

Visit RxART.org