News
AAM and NASAA Host Creative Aging Conferences
Two partner organizations recently hosted virtual creative aging conferences to advance creative aging across the United States:
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) hosted a national Museum Summit on Creative Aging, a free, highly interactive virtual summit that provided museum professionals with inspiration, tools and connections to help them serve the growing and underserved population of people who are 55 and better. The half-day program included keynote discussions, interactive workshops and panels that include Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums grantees.
The National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) hosted a Creative Aging Institute for all state and jurisdictional arts agencies and regional arts organization staff and council members. The institute included case studies of creative aging programs from state arts agencies participating in NASAA's Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging grant program and included communication strategies designed to move the needle on healthy aging policies.
Next Avenue Features Louisiana State Museum Program
The Louisiana State Museum, a Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums grantee, was recently featured in an article by Next Avenue. The article shares information on the online dance class offered at the museum this Spring titled "African dance in New Orleans." The free, six-week class was hosted by the Louisiana State Museum in conjunction with its exhibit, Mystery in Motion: African American Masking and Spirituality in Mardi Gras. Mystery in Motion honored Black masking Indians, also known as Mardi Gras Indians, and celebrated their sartorial creations. You can view the article here to read more about this incredible program.
Creative Aging Featured in Stanford Social Innovation Review
Stanford Social Innovation Review recently highlighted the impact of creative aging in an article written by Aroha’s Executive Director, Teresa Bonner. The article shares how arts programming specially designed to help older adults access and benefit from quality lifelong learning can foster connection with others and restore a sense of purpose and joy to their lives. You can read the full article here.
American Alliance of Museums Releases Major Creative Aging Report
The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) recently released a landmark report on museums and creative aging and announced a national Summit on Museums and Creative Aging.
The report, commissioned by the American Alliance of Museums and written by Marjorie Schwarzer, is a call to action for museums to change the narrative about what it means to grow old in America. Opening with an overview of aging and ageism in our country, the report documents actions being taken to foster positive aging, profiles the work of museums providing creative aging programming, and shares lessons learned from Aroha’s Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums initiative. You can download a copy of the report here.
AAM will host a national Museum Summit on Creative Aging, a free, highly interactive virtual summit that will provide museum professionals with inspiration, tools and connections to help them serve the growing and underserved population of people who are “55 and better.” The half-day program includes keynote discussions, interactive workshops and panels that include Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums grantees. The summit takes place on July 29, 2021 from 1-6 pm ET. Learn more here.
It’s time for America’s museums—with their long commitment to education for youth and their essential relationships with older adults as visitors, volunteers, advocates, and trustees—to take a fresh approach to the experiences they offer people fifty-five and better.
Museums can and must venture beyond their own walls—physical and metaphorical—to develop strong, lasting community relationships, especially with those who have been overlooked as intelligent, contributing members of society: older adults.
We encourage you to share these two exciting developments in creative aging with your networks.
NASAA Awards $1.46 Million Dollars in Creative Aging
Aroha and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) are thrilled to announce the award of $1,457,000 in grant funding to 36 state and jurisdictional arts agencies. Part of NASAA's Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging initiative, these grants will expand opportunities for creative aging across the nation, facilitating lifelong learning, joy, social engagement and improved wellbeing for older adults.
“Aroha Philanthropies is proud to partner with NASAA to support creative aging through our state and territorial arts agencies. This initiative marks an important step toward broadened awareness, adoption and funding of creative aging programs across the country,” said Ellen Michelson, founder and president.
To learn more about the 36 state arts agencies receiving funds, including every region of the country and five U.S. jurisdictions, click here. For information about activities taking place in each state, see NASAA's summary of grant awards or contact your state arts agency. For more information about NASAA's Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging initiative, contact NASAA Arts Learning Projects Director at Susan.Oetgen@nasaa-arts.org.
CommonBond Receives Award for Arts and Aging Program
Congratulations to CommonBond Communities, a Vitality Arts grantee, on receiving the Outstanding/Innovative Resident Experience Award at the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association Annual Achievement Awards for their Arts and Aging program. The awards program awards achievement in design, advertising and community support categories.
Bridging Isolation Through Virtual Programming
A virtual movement program for older adults was recently highlighted in an American Alliance of Museums blog post. The Anchorage Museum, a Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums grantee located in Anchorage, AK, received an online learning pilot grant from Aroha to launch their creative aging programs in a live virtual setting. Museum educator Molissa Udevitz shares details about the transition to virtual programming: “The shared experience of moving together—even while apart—helped bridge the isolation so many may feel right now.” Learn more about the Anchorage Museum’s program “Vital & Creative: Expressive Movement for Ages 55+” here.
New Creative Aging Initiative in Partnership with NASAA
Aroha is thrilled to announce a new creative aging initiative in collaboration with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA). With a $2 million grant award, NASAA is offering funding to help state arts agencies develop programs and partnerships that advance creative aging. Learn more about the exciting initiative here.
Advocacy for Museum Education
The president of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) recently published "An Open Letter to Museum Directors, Museum Board Members, and Community Organizations/Leaders," outlining why museum education is more essential than ever. We encourage everyone to read and share this message with museums and community leaders.
Graduation Speech
Next Avenue debuted the second episode of “Welcome Graduates,” a video series offering a different and inspiring take on the milestone of graduation from work to life. The video features director and playwright Rick Shiomi, a member of the “unretired, retirees group.”
“Unretirement for me means new artistic adventures that help me fulfill long-held dreams and discover new aspects of myself.” - Rick Shiomi