The Arts as Our Saving Grace
Dear Friends,
As I reflect on the events of the last year and embrace hope in 2021, I am filled with gratitude for the vibrant community of supporters who make Arts for the Aging possible. Thank you for believing in the transformative power of the arts and the importance of our creative aging programming.
Because of them and because of you, we worked with 26 client partners at 32 locations in Greater Washington D.C., producing online workshops, on-demand video programs, and delivering “heART Kits” – visual, tactile, and literary art kits – to seniors and their caregivers at home, through community and residential centers, and virtual memory cafes. You have given the gift of joy, community, and connection to those who need it most – thank you!
Despite the challenges of these times, Arts for the Aging will continue to create, inspire, engage, and enrich our creative aging community.
In that spirit, we are embracing a Year of Rebirth in 2021, when we will build back our client base and become a hybrid organization that works both virtually and in-person once it is safe again to do so. We are also emphasizing partnership reach especially to communities that are BIPOC-serving and/or BIPOC-led (Black/Indigenous/People of Color). We are addressing strategic infrastructure development to integrate anti-racist policies and practices throughout our operations and programming. We are continuing to innovate with our multidisciplinary artistic faculty, through our Teaching Artist Institute, to remain on the cutting edge of creative aging. And, we will train new artists in our nationally recognized artful caregiving methodologies to elevate the fields of arts, aging, and healthcare.

Year in Music 2020 Cultural Data
Arts for the Aging’s therapeutic, multidisciplinary arts programs reached 26 client partners at 32 locations in Greater Washington, D.C.; engaged 680 older adults, 114 professional and family caregivers; and were facilitated by a faculty of 25 professional teaching artists


Advancing Our Team
This year we are happy to welcome Stephanie Ogden, who joins our full-time staff as Fundraising and Communications Coordinator. A passionate arts enthusiast, Stephanie comes to us with a rich background in development, previously working with Synetic Theater, National Archives Foundation, and Strathmore. In her spare time, Stephanie can be found dancing, reading, and soaking up the incredible D.C. art scene. She received her master’s in Arts Management from American University.

News Roundup
- How Exercise Enhances Aging Brains
- Elders and an Artist Bring a Social Sculpture to Life
- Natalia Lafourcade’s ravishing rendition of Alma Mia (En Manos de Los Macorinos), by Mexican composer María Grever, features older adults playing, listening to, and feel the joys of music (lyrics translated here)
- A panel discussion on aging, health and creativity
2020 Donors
Our Mission
Since 1988, Arts for the Aging has engaged older adults and caregivers in health improvement and life enhancement through regular participation in multi-disciplinary, therapeutic group-arts programs which take place in partnership with professional artists, community and residential care settings, museums, and cultural institutions.