In this issue of The Creative Aging Resource Journal, we explore the importance of integrating universal design principles in creative aging practices, and feature accessibility tips and program examples from Lifetime Arts Trainers.
This video is part of our latest issue of The Creative Aging Resource Journal, and features Lifetime Arts Trainers sharing teaching artist best practices and programming examples for designing an inclusive creative aging program. The Lifetime Arts Trainers featured include (In order of appearance):
- Jade Lam, Chinese Brush Painting
- Dane Stauffer, Theatre + Storytelling
- Antonia Perez, Drawing + Painting
- Sarah Jacobus, Creative Writing
Learn more about the trainers on Lifetime Arts’ staff page. Download the audio transcript here.
Discussion of how creative aging programs in community arts education have the opportunity to work at the intersection of anti-ageism and anti-ableism.
Inclusive Arts Vermont have put together a comprehensive resource list on how best to engage people of all abilities in the arts, including a list of resources specifically for teaching artists.
Cross-sector, state-level partnerships are key to sustaining and ensuring access to creative aging programming, especially for older adults in rural communities. Research shows that these arts education programs contribute significantly to healthy aging and increased social connection. The Advancing Creative Aging in Westerns States Initiative, launched in 2023, is designed to deepen and sustain collaboration among state agency partners to advance creative aging in the Western region. Currently the Initiative includes partnership teams in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah. These teams include leaders from state arts agencies, state libraries, and state veterans services, and will expand to include aging services and health and human services.
Lifetime Arts will provide consulting services and information resources for multiple stakeholders across these state agencies. These resources are designed to support new and existing partnerships across state agencies and their constituent organizations. Lifetime Arts also is supporting the development and implementation of up to five creative aging programs in sector-specific host organizations in each state. These programs will serve a total of 500 older adults and help to demonstrate the benefits and efficacy of creative aging.
This article was published on CourseStorm, a platform which provides accessible, online education registration and management support for organizations that offer classes and programs to the public — many of which focus on arts education. Featured in the article is Heather Ikemire, Lifetime Arts’ Executive Director, who shares why now is the time for organizations and educators in the arts field to engage older adult learners and the myriad benefits of offering creative aging programming in their communities. Heather also shares examples of successful programming across the country and free resources which we have developed for organizations to utilize when getting started in this work.
