Resources
To our knowledge, the National Center for Creative Aging is the only national organization dedicated to promoting creative expression in later life. As such, the NCCA promotes the networking of individuals and organizations that are dedicated to this emerging field. Our networking initiatives include:
The Arts and Aging National Resource Directory - Under Construction
The Arts and Aging National Resource Directory is the only nationally comprehensive guide to creative programs for older people. It was originally developed and maintained by the National Council on Aging with the support from the National Endowment on the Arts (NEA). The Council has since transferred the database to the National Center for Creative Aging. The NCCA is now responsible for its ongoing management in partnership with the American Society on Aging and with the continuing support of the NEA.
The NCCA Network - Under Construction
NCCA encourages individuals and organizations that believe in the creative potential of older people to work together on the local level through "The NCCA Network." The NCCA Network is active in every region of the country, providing local creative programs, local trainings, and local advocacy initiatives.
Creativity Matters: The Arts and Aging Toolkit
This first of its kind resource is now available! Published jointly by the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA), the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), this guide will prove invaluable to arts, healthcare and aging services organizations. The Toolkit is made possible by the generous support from the MetLife Foundation, NAMM: The International Music Products Association, the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, and Roche. Order the Toolkit for $45, or view the digital version of this guide online. Also available in Spanish
Creativity and Aging
Our New Blog!
Stay current on the creativity and aging field through our commentator's posts that reveal the power of the arts. Add your comments and join our online community!
The Art of Aging: Creativity Matters
A Public Awareness Campaign
This campaign raised public awareness of the vital relationship between creative expression and the quality of life of older people. Major activities include: a national policy conference on Arts and Aging, townhall meetings across the country, a visual arts project in senior centers across the country, and a national petition calling for a referendum leading to the legislation of a seperate stream of funding for creative aging programming.
The publication of a free e-newsletter, Creative Aging.
To our knowledge, this e-newsletter is the only national publication to focus exclusively on Arts and Aging. The e-newsletter highlights promising pracitices and model programs; includes interviews with practitioners and elder artists; and announces performances, exhibits, trainings and publications from around the country. To subscribe, please contact us.
Additional Resources
Archived Presentations from Recent Arts & Aging Webinars
The NCOA/Caresource's Healthy Aging Briefing Series recently presented two recent webinars on arts and aging with NCCA staff. Both webinars focused on the practical strategies the arts and aging services network can use at the community level to move from a mindset of deficit based to asset based aging through the arts in service of healthcare. A first session with Gay Hanna an Dr. Gene Cohen focused on recent research into creativity and aging and a second session with Gay Hanna and Susan Perlstein looked at best practicies in developing arts and aging programs. Find the archived presentations and others on topics related to aging at www.ncoa.org/briefings and at www.AgingInStride.org/NCOA_Archives.