The Art of Creating New Stories is a project of the Amsterdam UMC,within the Department of Medical Oncology. This project is part of the research line Contingency, Culture and Oncology, which investigates how people with cancer give meaning to their illness and treatment. We believe that art and (popular) culture is very important in this regard. After all, art and culture affect who you are and how you see your life - it shapes your life story and your identity. When something serious happens, such as a cancer diagnosis, it can disrupt your life story and identity. Arts and culture may then be able to help you heal and recover from this disruption.

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Why is that recovery important?

‍In this research, the concept of contingency is very important. Contingency means that things could have gone differently. Something can happen, but it doesn't necessarily have to. For example: you get cancer and suddenly, your life is completely turned upside down. Everything becomes uncertain and you may wonder, “Why is this happening to me?” These questions are difficult and sometimes there is no simple answer. Therefore, it is not about finding an answer, but about looking at the situation differently and discovering new possibilities. Art and culture can help with this, because being creative, or working with art, can make you lookat things in different, new ways.

"Everything becomes uncertain and you may wonder, “Why is this happening to me?” These questions are difficult and sometimes there is no simple answer."

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From art viewing to performance art

There are different ways to engage with art and culture. For example, you can make your own music or look at art. In this study, we look at different forms of art and culture. The In Search of Stories project works with reading literary texts and making art together with an artist. The Staging Cancer project uses theater and performance. Our project, The Art of Creating New Stories, focuses mainly on art viewing, using a method called Art-BasedLearning.

An artistic landscape in healthcare

With all these creative projects, we do not want to look for one best practice, but rather develop different art interventions. This way, people with cancer can choose what suits them. The goal is to develop an “artistic landscape” in health care that both patients and caregivers can use. By doing this, the hospital not only takes care of patients’ physical well-being, but can also help restore someone's sense of who they are after they have experienced something very profound.

On the research line's website you can find more information about all the projects and research we are doing and have done.

Save the date!

There will also be a symposium about the research line in October:

Date: Friday 31/10/2025

Time: 09:30-17:30

Location: Conference Room ’t IJ – Adore Building – Amsterdam UMC(location VUmc)

Keep an eye on our events page for more information about the symposium.

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