Summit Conference on Arts and Aging: Creativity Matters

Posted by on October 13, 2006

Summit Conference on Arts and Aging: Creativity Matters
November 3-4, 2006

by National Center for Creative Aging
Newark, N.J.

Research confirms a direct correlation between creative expression and healthy aging. Yet, despite the growing recognition that creativity matters, older adults lack ready access to the arts. Moreover, the quality of much of the programming that is available is limited. The National Conference on Arts and Aging will bring together for the first time the leading organizations and professional community-based artists from across the country to address these problems and identify steps to their solution.

As part of the Art of Aging Campaign, a national public awareness Campaign on the benefits of creative engagement in later life, launched last year by the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA), the Conference builds on the Campaign?s first year initiatives.

The Conference will build the capacity for and expertise in ?arts and aging? programming of attending organizations and artists by: 1) highlighting research findings pointing to the physical, social and psychological benefits of cultural programming on older people; 2) providing an overview of ?best practices;? 3) providing professional artists and organizations with the opportunity to exchange expertise; 4) exploring the obstacles that prevent older adults from having full access to the arts and the steps needed to overcome them; and 5) disseminating the findings of the conference to professional artists and arts organizations through the publication of a Conference Report and an Arts and Aging Best Practices Toolkit, which is a joint effort between NCCA, NJPAC and the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts (NGCSA).

http://www.creativeaging.org/