Creative Connections Project
Arts for the Aging is partnering with Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services to provide participatory arts programming that fosters engagement, self-expression, and socialization for older adults and their caregivers. This pilot project continues through September 2024.
Selected long-term care communities in Montgomery County, MD each will receive a series of four workshops, sponsored through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, to alleviate the negative health effects of social isolation, and to increase artful, therapeutic connection for older adults (age 60+) and caregivers. Together with long-term care communities, Arts for the Aging will co-create multidisciplinary, participatory, and inclusive arts programming tailored to client and participant needs. Workshops will be facilitated by trained and skilled Arts for the Aging Teaching Artists.
This project will reach 300-400 unduplicated participants across 30-40 long-term care communities in need of programming–communities historically underserved or that don’t otherwise have access to these kinds of creative aging programs. The workshop series can take place both in-person and virtually, and includes visual, performing, and literary arts disciplines.
All communities selected for participation may access Arts for the Aging resources on how to use the arts to engage residents and build social connection, and those with staff capacity and available technology additionally may access monthly Arts for the Aging virtual programs.
The Creative Connections Project is sponsored by Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
Apply for the Creative Connections Project
We are seeking applications from long term care communities, including group homes, nursing homes, and other communities that provide long-term care for individuals 60 and older and their formal and informal caregivers.
Qualified prospective client applicants will be long term care communities for older adults that show a demonstrated need in the following areas:
- Limited opportunities for social connection between residents and with the outside community;
- Limited budget and resources for multidisciplinary, participatory, inclusive arts programming led by trained artists
Download the Creative Connections Project Guide:
Learn more about Arts for the Aging
Resources
Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community
Calls attention to the importance of social connection for the health and well-being of individuals and communities and the significant consequences when social connection is lacking. Includes recommendations for institutions that shape our day-to-day lives based on decades of scientific research.
Social Engagement Innovations and Best Practices
Examples of programs which employ a variety of social engagement interventions and tap into an array of partners to reach older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in rural, suburban and urban areas.