Lifetime Arts’ Public Libraries Initiative, a national capacity building and demonstration project, funded through IMLS National Leadership Grants since 2011 - is helping libraries in 13 states respond to the demand for meaningful programs for the growing population of older adult patrons. Through the Lifetime Arts Affiliate Network, the project promotes partnerships between librarians, teaching artists and community organizations and offers a programming implementation model that employs nationally recognized best practices in arts education and reflects new scholarship on the benefits of social engagement and creative expression for healthy aging. Learn why and how libraries from across the U.S. are embracing innovative arts programming for older adults. Explore Creative Aging best practices, current research and techniques for successful program implementation and sustainability. Lifetime Arts’ Creative Aging Toolkit for Public Libraries, Creative Aging Roster and Lifetime Arts Affiliate Network will be featured. Senior staff from ArtSAGE, Minnesota’s statewide connector, convener and catalyst for the field of arts and aging will be on hand to connect participants to local, regional and statewide resources for artful aging. ArtSAGE provides training programs for artists and arts organizations, consulting services for senior communities and resources for the general public on the new but growing hybrid field of arts and aging. This workshop is supported by a grant from Aroha Philanthropies.
