NAC Secures New Funding for Creative Aging

Recognizing that older adults have many contributions to make to their communities—but that they often face ageism and isolation and have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19— The Nebraska Arts Council sought funding from the Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging program, a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and Aroha Philanthropies. Nebraska secured $60,000 for The Creative Aging through the Arts Program (CAAP). CAAP will train NAC’s teaching artists in the best practices of engaging seniors in professional, sequential arts instruction. Once trained, artists will conduct artist residencies in nursing homes, libraries, and senior facilities across the state.

“Aroha Philanthropies is proud to partner with NASAA to support creative aging through our state and jurisdictional arts agencies,” said Ellen Michelson, founder and president of the foundation. “This initiative marks an important step toward broadened awareness, adoption and funding of creative aging programs across the country.”

The Nebraska Arts Council is one of 36 state arts agencies receiving awards from NASAA. With this funding, each state will conduct creative aging activities tailored to the unique needs of its constituents. Activities will include bolstering existing creative aging programs, supporting artist residencies, providing professional development for teaching artists, providing direct programming to older adult audiences, cultivating creative aging  partnerships and more.

For information about new creative aging activities taking place in Nebraska contact Linda Hilliar at linda.hilliar@nebraska.gov. For more information about NASAA’s Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging initiative, visit https://nasaa-arts.org/communication/new-initiative-expands-creative-aging-nationwide/.