Arts for the Aging

Looking for your next podcast listen? 🎨🧠 We recommend checking out this thought-provoking episode from Hidden Brain, featuring psychobiologist Daisy Fancourt, whose research examines how engagement with the arts can help regulate emotions, build resilience, support long-term well-being, and foster meaningful social connection. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Fancourt discusses how activities like music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts can support happiness, cognitive health, and a sense of purpose. She also highlights the growing body of research demonstrating the positive impact of arts engagement on health and well-being, which deeply aligns with our mission and what we witness through Arts for the Aging's workshops for older adults and caregivers every day. Listen to the full podcast episode here: https://lnkd.in/eM--2w6F #ArtsforTheAging #ArtsInHealth #HiddenBrain #PowerOfTheArts #DMVArts

It began with a song and ended with a poem. 🎶✍️ In Georgetown's historic L'Enfant Gallery, several new board members of ours recently hosted The Art of Connection: An Evening Music, Poetry, & Purpose to benefit Arts for the Aging. Featuring two members of our artistic faculty, we invited eventgoers into the ebullient process of creating and putting something new into the world together. The evening began with music led by Arts for the Aging Teaching Artist Miles Spicer, continued with a collaborative poetry experience facilitated by Arts for the Aging Teaching Artist Lauren Mazow Boyle, and culminated in the creation of a whimsical group poem that was transformed into song. As voices around the room joined together once more, the evening came full circle, demonstrating the joy we feel when music, poetry, and imagination converge into creative community, the very practice Arts for the Aging brings to older adults and their caregivers in Greater DC every day. Read the full story and see how one evening beautifully reflected the heart of Arts for the Aging: https://lnkd.in/e4VJG3bg Thank you to Stephanie Williams for capturing the evening so beautifully. #ArtsforTheAging #ArtsInHealth #DMVArts #LEnfantGallery #ArtOfConnection

After three years with Arts for the Aging, we extend our deepest gratitude to our senior coordinator of programs, Kayla Lemen-Conklin. 💜 Kayla played an integral role in advancing our mission and strengthening our programs. Her thoughtful leadership, commitment to teaching artists, and dedication to older adults and caregivers helped shape countless meaningful arts experiences throughout our community. During her time at Arts for the Aging, Kayla coordinated nearly 1,900 workshops, performances, trainings, and demonstrations, helping engage more than 1,300 older adults, caregivers, and youth across more than 70 community sites. She welcomed and supported teaching artists, cultivated relationships with community partners, improved organizational systems, and consistently approached every challenge with creativity, compassion, and grace. Please join us in thanking Kayla for all that she has done for the organization and wishing her all the best in her next chapter. #ArtsforTheAging #ArtsInHealth #DMVArts

The Empower Project's artists-in-residence, artist assistant fellows, and teaching artist mentors recently gathered for a day of training, planning, and connection as they prepared to facilitate participatory arts experiences for older adults in Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County communities. Grounded in Arts for the Aging's philosophy, teaching models, and best practices, the training provided participants with tools to create engaging, human-centered arts experiences that foster creativity, connection, and well-being. The day also marked the first opportunity for each artist-in-residence and artist assistant fellow pair to meet their teaching artist mentor and begin planning their upcoming workshop series together. We're excited to see these creative teams bring meaningful arts experiences to older adults and caregivers in our community. 💜 Learn more about the Empower Project here: https://lnkd.in/e-szNMFw #ArtsforTheAging #ArtsInHealth #DMVArts #EmpowerProject #HousingOpportunitiesCommission

We're delighted that Give A Hoot Comedy Club will donate 50% or their proceeds from ticket sales on the night of October 30 at 8 pm. Come out to see stand-up comedian Marcus Brown take the stage. Tickets are $22.25 in advance, $25 at the door. Purchase tickets at this link: https://lnkd.in/ezemUPjA. Full La Mexicana food and drink will be available at the comedy club with free parking. #ArtsforTheAging #ArtsInHealth #DMVArts #GiveAHootComedyClub🦉

Curious about how the arts can enrich our lives as we age? 🎨✨ Visit the Creative Aging: Art Is Essential exhibition at The Phillips Collection through November 8 to experience artwork created by older adults, including participants from Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care Center. And join us this Saturday, October 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for a special reception at the Phillips Collection, celebrating the artists and the stories behind the exhibition. Family members, friends, supporters, and community members are all welcome. Free admission for reception attendees. At the reception, you'll enjoy: 🥂 Light refreshments 🖼️ Gallery tours 🎨 Opportunities to learn about the impact of Creative Aging programs ✨ Connections with fellow arts and aging enthusiasts Please RSVP to the reception at this link: https://lnkd.in/gMEebA5U Join us in celebrating the creativity, resilience, and joy of the artists featured in this remarkable exhibition. We hope to see you there! #ArtsForTheAging #CreativeAging #ArtIsEssential #ThePhillipsCollection #ArtsInHealth

Today, we're recognizing board chairperson, Sandy Davis, for her extraordinary leadership and commitment to Arts for the Aging. With more than 30 years of experience in business development, client stewardship, and strategic relationship management, Sandy brings invaluable expertise to our organization. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she has dedicated decades to volunteer service, supporting nonprofits including March of Dimes, Make-A-Wish, and The Children's Inn at NIH. As board chairperson, Sandy champions our mission and helps strengthen the relationships, advocacy efforts, and strategic vision that make our work possible. Her compassion, leadership, and commitment to community continue to inspire us. Thank you, Sandy, for your unwavering dedication to helping older adults experience joy, connection, and well-being through the arts. 💜 #ArtsforTheAging #ArtsInHealth #DMVArts #GreaterDC #BoardOfTrustees

🎉 Our 2025 Annual Report is here! We're excited to share a deeper look at the impact we made together over the past year, including: 🎨 Programs & Partnerships 📊 Impact by the Numbers 🏢 Training & Workforce Development 🏘️ Capacity Building 🔍 Visibility 🌱 Sustainability 🪙 Financials 💜 Acknowledgements This report reflects the dedication of our teaching artists, community partners, donors, volunteers, board members, and supporters who help bring the arts to older adults and caregivers throughout the Greater DC region. Thank you for being part of our journey and helping us create opportunities for connection, creativity, and well-being through the arts. View the annual report here: https://lnkd.in/ed7NKHYc Special thanks to Yvette Scorse for her guidance and creativity in bringing this report to life. #ArtsforTheAging #ArtsInHealth #DMVArts #AnnualReport #2025

We're honored to be featured in the exhibition, Creative Aging: Art is Essential! at The Phillips Collection! This exhibition celebrates the creativity, curiosity, resilience, and joy of older adults living with memory loss through artwork created as part of the museum's Creative Aging program. We're proud to support opportunities that display how creativity has no age limit. The participants at our client community, Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care Center, took part in creating the artwork being displayed. Visit the exhibition through November 8 and help us celebrate the power of creative expression at any stage of life. #ArtsForTheAging #ThePhillipsCollection #ArtsInHealth #ArtsExhibition

As older adult participant Martha M. snapped a photo of Arts for the Aging teaching artists Jason Horowitz and Jackie Steven, she shared, "And that's what we are grateful for. Appreciate you all so much." Jason and Jackie recently led a collage workshop for older adult participants at Willow Manor at Colesville, one of our Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County community clients. To help participants feel comfortable exploring their creativity, Jason and Jackie emphasized that there is no right or wrong way to collage. With an abundance of materials to choose from, including washi tape, stickers, letter stencils, magazine images, and photographs participants had taken of one another during a previous digital arts workshop, each person was free to create something uniquely their own. One participant even dedicated her collage to the residents of Willow Manor, sparking smiles, laughter, and heartfelt conversation throughout the room. Moments like these remind us that the arts are about more than creating something beautiful. They foster self-expression, build relationships, and strengthen community connections. This is why we believe in art's power in improving physical, cognitive, and emotional health. ✨ #ArtsforTheAging #ArtsInHealth #DMVArts #Collaging #VisualArts