News & Events

December 9-10, 2008
NCCA presents

Metlife Foundation
Creativity Matters: Lifelong Learning through the Arts Symposium
Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts
Miami, FL

Join the National Center for Creative Aging for the first Metlife Foundation Creativity Matters Symposium in Miami, FL. The symposium will highlight Gene Cohen, MD, PhD, who will discuss the findings of his study "The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on the Physical Health, Mental Health, and Social Functioning of Older Adults" as well as Susan Perlstein, MSW, who will discuss the value of programs for older adults across the country. Find out more...

Read the event Press Release.

Studies Suggest There's An Art to Getting Older
Creative Activity May Have Health Benefits
by Beth Baker, Special to The Washington Post
Tuesday, March 11, 2008; Page HE01

In the Greenbelt Community Center, 25 elders sit in a circle, watching professional storyteller Candace Wolf. She moves around the circle, smiling, giving someone's shoulder a gentle squeeze, making eye contact. The artist, on the faculty of the nonprofit Bethesda-based Arts for the Aging (AFTA), enlists the group's help in creating a story, based on a silly photo she has passed around of a stocky older couple arm-wrestling...Before long, a narrative has been spun, with threads offered by participants -- most of them people with dementia or other cognitive problems -- and woven by Wolf. She has adapted her storytelling workshops to this audience because studies suggest that making art, or even listening to music or viewing paintings, supports physical, mental and emotional well-being and eases some symptoms of illness, including dementia. The idea is gaining traction.
Read the full article recently featured in The Washington Post that highlights the NCCA, our new Toolkit, and our work to promote creativity among older adults.

In the Winter 2008 issue of Aging Well, Gene Cohen illuminates the common mis-informed concept of a "senior moment" -- what in most of the 20th century explained away momentary lapses in memory. But, we now know that we have the capacity to continue new brain cells right until the end of life. Instead, aging might bring with it a new psychological development in older age, where we can feel liberated and more creative. It's as if an inner voice begins to say "If not now, when? Why not?," Cohen explains. Read the full article to learn more.

Congress Approves Major Funding Increase for Older Americans Act
NCOA's Aging News

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) has been advocating, through its Support Our Seniors campaign for Congress to make substantial increases in funding for all Older Americans Act (OAA) programs. Many concerned individuals across the country contacted their members of Congress about this important matter. Congress heeded the call and voted for increases of $111 million for OAA programs in Fiscal Year 2008. Read more and find out why the President is expected to veto the bill.

Study: Aging Artists Remain Resilient
Associated Press

Aging artists in New York City stay engaged and productive well past retirement age and would choose their profession again if they were starting over, according to a new study. "Above Ground: Information on Artists III: Special Focus New York City Aging Artists" found that contrary to the stereotype that people become more isolated as they age, aging artists remain passionate and display high self-esteem and life satisfaction.

October 2008
A Miami Arts and Aging Symposium Highlights Lifelong Learning: NCCA's Creativity Matters Symposium in Miami, FL
The University of Miami’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) will co-host a professional forum for artists, educators and aging service providers. The session, “Creativity Matters: Miami Arts and Aging Symposium on Lifelong Learning,” will be presented by the NCCA at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami on December 9^th and 10^th. This MetLife Foundation conference will be beneficial to various professionals such as social workers, art therapists and general educators.

July 2007
COMMITMENT TO “CREATIVE AGING” FORGES NEW PARTNERSHIP: NCCA Joins GW’s Center on Aging, Health & Humanities
The emerging field of "arts and aging" takes a creative leap forward with the announcement of the partnership betewen two leaders in the field -- The National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) in New York City and The George Washington University's Center on Aging, Health & Humanitites (CAHH) in Washington, DC. NCCA will move to Washington, DC in July 2007...