Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba launches art pilot project to reimagine patient rooms for kids

Call for local artists to create inpatient room art opens today

Winnipeg, MB (January 5, 2026) — Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba invites local artists to help transform CK5 – the childhood cancer, blood disorders and transplants ward at HSC Children’s Hospital. Through selected artist submissions managed through Graffiti Art Programming, up to local 20 artists will be chosen by an art committee to create nature-themed and child-friendly artwork to spark imagination, comfort and hope for children and families during hospital stays.

The art pilot project is part of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba’s goal to reimagine and renew over 70 in-patient rooms throughout Manitoba’s only Children’s Hospital which is also one of the oldest children’s hospitals in Canada.

Starting with CK5 – the childhood cancer, blood disorders and transplants ward, where young patients with some of the most challenging and complex illnesses spend weeks or months receiving care – the Foundation is reimagining the design to be family-focused and help children stay connected to nature, to playfulness and to the joy of simply being a kid.

“For these kids and their families, hospital rooms become their second homes,” says Stefano Grande, President and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. “They deserve spaces filled with colour, comfort, and care – rooms that reflect the excellence and compassion of the health care teams who support them.”

Artists can learn more about the Children’s Hospital Foundation art pilot project at graffitigallery.ca. Application submissions are due by February 2, 2026, at 4:00 pm CST. Selected artists will receive compensation.

The art project is part of a broader childhood cancer, blood disorders and transplants campaign to:

• Revitalize 15 patient rooms, a treatment room, family lounge, nursing station, and shared spaces that hundreds of children and families rely on each year in CK5
• Improve infection prevention and airflow for vulnerable patients
• Upgrade technology for education, entertainment, and connection
• Enhance family areas for rest and comfort
• Support ongoing childhood cancer and pediatric health research at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba

The campaign which aims to raise over $2.5 million, is being supported by incredible community generosity, including a $500,000 gift from CancerCare Manitoba, fund the need gifts during the Foundation’s 2025 Ice Crystal Gala, and some Manitoba government funding from the Foundation’s Better Futures campaign.

With construction already underway, community support to help complete the transformation is urgently needed.

“Children in this ward often spend months in hospital while undergoing treatment. A more comforting healing environment helps kids stay resilient and hopeful through some of the hardest moments of their lives,” says Grande. “With a little help from donors, family-focused and child-friendly spaces can bring brightness and comfort to support emotional and physical well-being.”

Donors can learn more about the impact of care in this ward and why this transformation is so important through Ella’s health journey of a leukemia diagnosis at age three to being a cancer survivor by age five, at goodbear.ca/ella.

The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba invites the community to help make these rooms a reality. Please give today at goodbear.ca