NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF STATE ARTS AGENCIES | CREATIVE AGING
Creative aging: turning interest into coordinated action.
As our population ages, millions of older Americans face social isolation and depression. That means poorer health outcomes on both mental and physical fronts. Research shows that creative aging programs can improve well-being, strengthen social ties and help older adults remain active in their communities. The opportunity was clear, but state arts agencies needed a stronger way to make the case, engage partners and move from scattered interest to sustainable action.
We developed a comprehensive creative aging toolkit grounded in a core narrative reframe of the issue. The toolkit equips state arts agencies to communicate the value of creative aging, tailor messages for funders and partners, convene stakeholders and guide structured conversations about roles, resources and implementation. It positions creative aging not as a discretionary arts offering, but as a practical strategy for healthier aging, stronger communities and more effective systems of care.
To inform the work, we conducted listening sessions and interviews with grantees, healthy aging and healthcare thought partners, cross-sector organizations such as public libraries and museums, and members of the aging network, including state units on aging, area agencies on aging and senior centers. A focus group with senior center directors added further insight into the needs, opportunities and practical barriers facing communities. Together, this research shaped the narrative, messaging and tools needed to help state arts agencies build stronger partnerships and translate interest in creative aging into coordinated action.
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State Arts Agencies
State arts agencies across the country are currently using the toolkit to implement programs in underserved communities across the country. Its immediate value lies in giving them a clear, unified framework for building coalitions and expanding access to high quality creative aging programs nationwide.
