Background: Research concerning art initiatives within palliative care mainly addresses the artist's perspective. Our study brings in the end users' voices.
Method: We conducted ethnographic research in the framework of a program that invited professional artists to work at a Belgian palliative and supportive day care center. We examined how the so-called guests (i.e. end users) valued and experienced the artists' presence and activities.
Results: Guests mentioned a positive influence on their personal and social well-being. They also indicated a cultural and artistic value. Art activities offered them something new and unexpected and took them to a different place. Guests felt challenged by activities when their well-being was negatively provoked, when they experienced activities as incomprehensible or in case of logistic hassle.
Conclusions: Art activities in palliative care settings must be adapted to the interests and abilities of the end users and supported by an educational and logistic framework.
Keywords: Arts & health; ethnographic research; palliative and supportive care; qualitative analysis; socially engaged arts.