MONTPELIER — The Vermont Arts Council recently secured new funding from a national grant program to advance creative aging programs for older adults in Vermont.
Through a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, Vermont secured $77,500 to support the Amplifying Creative Senior Centers Project, a new joint effort between the Arts Council and the Vermont Association of Senior Centers and Meal Providers (VASCAMP) that builds on the Council’s Creative Aging initiative.
With this funding, the Arts Council and VASCAMP will work collaboratively to expand accessible creative aging programs statewide by regranting a bulk of the funds to Vermont’s rural senior centers. Through the process, the Council seeks to expand quality programming, build connections with senior center staff, understand the needs and capacities of rural senior centers, and help document the impact of creative aging activities in these communities.
The Vermont Arts Council is one of 28 state arts agencies receiving this award.
Longtime vital investments through the NASAA and E.A. Michaelson Philanthropy 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.
"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."
Since 2021, the Council has led a creative aging initiative to address the needs of older Vermonters through meaningful arts learning experiences. The initiative has supported an annual grant program that began in 2022, which has awarded a total of $253,000 through 64 grants to organizations to support skill-based instruction alongside opportunities for social engagement and community building in and through the arts for older adults. The initiative has also led to training and professional development opportunities for Vermont teaching artists who work with older adults. Learn more about the Arts Council’s creative aging initiative.
“We’re proud to be able to support Vermont’s older adults through this project. More than 20 percent of Vermonters are at least 65 years of age, and Vermont is on track to be the oldest state in the nation by 2032. Vermont also has one of the highest life expectancy rates at nearly 80 years of age. Research shows that engaging in the arts as we age can enhance emotional well-being, promote better health, deepen social connections, and foster a lasting sense of purpose and joy,” said Vermont Arts Council Executive Director Susan Evans McClure.
“This grant is a wonderful investment in the well-being of older Vermonters,” said VASCAMP Executive Director Dan Noyes. “By partnering with the Vermont Arts Council, we’re able to bring meaningful creative aging programs directly into senior centers across our rural communities. The award not only expands access to high-quality arts programming, it strengthens social connection, supports healthy aging, and ensures our senior centers remain vibrant hubs supporting older Vermonters.”
For more information about NASAA's Creative Aging, Creative Futures initiative, visit https://nasaa-arts.org/nasaa_research/creative-aging/#cacf.
For more information about VASCAMP, visit https://vascamp.org/
