A curator and more than 70 artists created a healing place for children

With 205 private inpatient rooms serving patients from birth to age 21, The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center building transforms the idea of care and community through art, design and functionality. The Bloomberg Children’s Center building is named in honor of the mother of Michael R. Bloomberg — philanthropist, Hopkins alumnus and three-term Mayor of New York City — who contributed significant resources to make the facility and this creative collaboration come to life.

Designed to inspire, comfort and heal, the Bloomberg Children’s Center building, which opened May 1, 2012, is the result of a unique and close collaboration between artists from across the country, a curator, a group of architects, Bloomberg Philanthropies and Johns Hopkins. Together, the team created not just a state-of-the-art medical facility but also a haven and place of healing that features more than 300 works of art selected especially for the building created by over 70 artists.

Learn More:

• Caring by Design
• Watch a video about the creation of the Bloomberg Children's Center building
• Watch a video about the history of Johns Hopkins Children's Center through the opening of the Bloomberg Children's Center building in 2012
• Art + Architecture at Johns Hopkins Children's Center

The Exterior: The Ever-Changing Language of the Color Alphabet

The collaboration is clearly visible, even miles away. Covering almost the entire exterior of The Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center at Johns Hopkins in a seamless bond is a massive and intricate multicolored work of art by American artist Spencer Finch. 

The Exterior: The Magical Frit, Lantern and Snow Globe

Recalling Monet’s brushstrokes and the rippling of water, American artist Spencer Finch devised a “frit” pattern for the glass windows and exterior walls of Johns Hopkins new Charlotte R. Bloomberg Children’s Center.

Setting the Stage: Set Designer Robert Israel’s Super-Sized Sculptures

When considering how artworks could enliven these entry spaces, curator Rosen proposed reaching out to set designers.

Medicine for the Soul: Over 300 Works of Art Inspired by Beloved Children’s Books

The art for the public spaces of the Bloomberg Children’s Center celebrates books and reading, and draws on Johns Hopkins’ strong reading program and participation in the national Reach Out and Read initiative.

Diorama, Tabletops and More

Some of the artworks are integrated into the architecture and design of the building and interiors. A colorful, glass-enclosed display case is embedded in the walls at the elevator lobby of seven of the children’s floors.

Windows on Baltimore’s Tradition: Jim Boyd’s Window Shades

When faced with the opportunity to introduce art into the children’s rooms, the project team came up with a unique response — turning the window shades into practical works of art.

Artful Wayfinding

The art and design of the new Johns Hopkins Hospital also have practical functions. The wayfinding is keyed to Spencer Finch’s palette for the building exterior.

The Canopy: An Unmistakable Point of Arrival

The building’s canopy, together with the pedestrian bridges (which connect the hospital and the parking lot) and the entry plaza’s football-field long tapestry of green all work together to visually reinforce and reaffirm a visitor’s arrival.