Since 2014, the RCN Library and Archive has held a rolling programme of events for a public audience, raising awareness of nursing and its history. Each series links to the theme of our temporary exhibition and includes talks, tours, performances, arts activities and more. You can find out more and see upcoming events here: https://www.rcn.org.uk/whatson.

Our next exhibition, launching in summer 2025, will focus on the Art of Nursing, exploring artworks by nurses and about nursing, or collaborations between nurses and established artists. The accompanying event programme, virtual and hybrid, will run from October 2025 - February 2026.

Submit Your Ideas

We’d like to involve more RCN members in the Library and Museum programme through an open call for event proposals. You can submit your idea as an individual or as a Forum or other group. 

To submit, please fill in this form: Art of Nursing Event Submission Form

Up to four ideas from members will be taken forward by the team, selected by the RCN Exhibitions & Events Strategy Group. If your idea is chosen you will need to join a virtual call with the Library and Museum team to discuss your idea and attend the event itself.

Guidance for Proposals

We love creative ideas! In the past we’ve hosted book clubs, comedy nights, life drawing, film screenings, plays, tours, treasure hunts and more.

Events must:

· Be aimed at a non-specialist audience (we do not host clinical guidance or training)

· Focus on history and/or the creative arts

· We are open to exploring any form of creative arts: fine art, theatre, literature, dance, music, craft and more

If your event is of interest but outside our budget (up to £500 per event) or does not quite fit our remit, we may suggest an alternative way to take it forward.

Closing date: 31/07/25

Final decisions to be communicated by: 22/08/25

Event to take place: Between 24/10/25 and 28/02/26