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.
Browse “Arts Organizations”
Designing an Inclusive Creative Aging Program: Teaching Artist Tips 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.
Encore Creativity for Older Adults
Encore Creativity for Older Adults’ guiding mission is to create meaningful arts experiences supporting lifelong learning, wellness, and fun for all older adults. We envision a world where all older adults have a place in the arts.
Encore is the nation’s largest choral arts organization for adults 55 and over. With over 40 ensembles (and growing!) nationwide, and over 1500 singers ages 55 to 99, Encore is a leading organization in the field of creative aging. Encore’s programs include traditional choral music performances, Encore ROCKS groups singing rock ‘n’ roll hits from the 50s and beyond, therapeutic Arts for Life programs for individuals with early- to mid-stage cognitive change and their care partners, and online Encore University classes to supplement our singers’ musical journeys.
Centering Anti-Ableism in Creative Aging Programs
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 Resources
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.
New Initiative Catalyzes State-Level Partnerships to Advance Creative Aging in Western States
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.
Creative Aging: Why Arts Educators Need to Engage Older Learners Now
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.
Drawing Connection: Art Class Unites Formerly Unhoused Men with Case Managers
As part of the Vitality Arts Project for Art Museums Initiative, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) and Catholic Charities Twin Cities Higher Ground campus collaborated on a six-week drawing program this summer for older adult residents. Higher Ground serves men who have struggled with homelessness or housing instability. The residents’ case managers also were participants during this course, which was taught by Lynda Monick-Isenberg, Lifetime Arts Trainer. This article was published by MPR News.
Social Prescribing for the Arts: A Promising Framework for Arts & Health Collaboration in the U.S. & Beyond
In this issue, we explore the emerging research and practices of social prescribing for the arts (SPA) and discuss the future of SPA efforts as a vital component of arts and health services in the U.S., especially for older adults. This issue starts framing answers to key questions related to the challenges and opportunities this practice surfaces in healthcare and creative aging. Featured in this issue is a recorded conversation between three leading experts on SPA in the U.S.: Tasha Golden, S. Sudha, and Käthe Swaback.
*This email is an abridged version of our our full issue, which contains in-depth analysis and numerous resources on social prescribing. You can read the full issue here.
2023 International Creative Aging Summit
Paradigm Shift: Advancing the Cultural Rights of Older People
A Free, Virtual Convening on June 6 and 7, 2023
The 3rd annual International Creative Aging Summit channeled the collective energy of more than 250 arts and aging leaders from around the globe towards an investigation of the profound shifts needed — individually and collectively — to champion and adequately invest in older adults’ creativity and cultural agency.
Through facilitated conversations and peer-to-peer exchange, this dynamic and collegial convening connected a worldwide network of colleagues working in diverse communities and sectors to advance creative aging. The Summit was designed for those who develop, deliver, and/or support arts programs by, with, and for older people including professionals from the social and aging services, and the technology, education, cultural, heritage, housing, and health sectors.
Hosted by a different country each year, the 2023 Summit was organized by Lifetime Arts (United States) in collaboration with Creative Ageing Development Agency (CADA) in England and Armas-festival, City of Helsinki, and Koy Kaapelitalo in Finland.