TN Arts Commission Secures New Funding for Creative Aging
From Tennessee Arts Commission –
The Tennessee Arts Commission recently secured new funding from a national grant program to advance creative aging programs for older adults in Tennessee.
The Creative Aging, Creative Futures program, a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, builds upon the remarkable success of previous initiatives: Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging and States Leading Creative Aging. These vital investments have strengthened creative aging issue leadership for state arts agencies, significantly expanded arts opportunities for older adults, further integrated the arts into state aging services and enhanced expertise in creative aging program delivery. Tennessee secured $77,500 for Creative Aging IV.
“E.A. Michelson Philanthropy’s investments in state arts agencies have transformed our national public infrastructure to improve the lives of older adults across America,” said NASAA President and CEO Pam Breaux. “State arts agencies are now instrumental partners in addressing the most important challenges facing aging populations, including rising health care costs. The demand and need for this work will only increase.”
“E.A. Michelson Philanthropy is proud to partner with NASAA through our continued support of creative aging within our state and jurisdictional arts agencies,” said Ellen Michelson, founder and president. “We are delighted to see this initiative expand arts programming for older adults, supporting more classes, residencies and sustained creative opportunities that help older adults learn, grow and connect.”
The Tennessee Arts Commission is one of 28 state arts agencies receiving awards from NASAA. With this funding, state arts agencies will expand access to high-quality, sequential arts learning opportunities for older adults by reducing barriers to participation. Activities will include: bolstering existing creative aging programs, providing professional development for teaching artists, developing creative aging communities of practice, providing direct programming to older adult audiences, cultivating creative aging partnerships and more.
For information about new creative aging activities taking place in Tennessee, contact Kim Johnson, Director of Arts & Health (kim.johnson@tn.gov). For more information about NASAA’s Creative Aging, Creative Futures initiative, visit https://nasaa-arts.org/nasaa_research/creative-aging/#cacf.
