• Tweet

About the Initiative

The Oklahoma Arts Council's Creative Aging Initiative was launched in 2021 through grant funding provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. The initiative was launched to build capacity across the state for community-based arts education programs serving older adults. Creative aging programs offer improved quality of life for this fast growing segment of the population. Through the initiative, the Oklahoma Arts Council is leading professional development opportunities, advisory groups, and statewide convenings. Receive updates about the initiative.

Creative Aging Partnership Grants

The Creative Aging Partnership Grant offers Oklahoma organizations support to build and expand arts learning opportunities for older adults through teaching artist residencies and workshops. Applications for grant funding of up to $15,000 to support creative aging programming are being accepted through September 16, 2024.

Events

Oklahoma Creative Aging Exchange III
May 2, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Enid Symphony Orchestra
301 W. Broadway Ave.
Enid, Oklahoma 73701
Register here

The Oklahoma Creative Aging Exchange is a day-long professional development convening featuring presentations, panel discussions, performances, and breakout sessions centered on ways to improve quality of life for older Oklahomans through the arts. Topics covered include creating and implementing creative aging programs; best practices in facilitating arts education for older adults; and, ways to support and sustain programs through funding opportunities. Oklahoma Creative Aging Exchange III is free and open to everyone. The program is ideal for individuals involved in the health, aging, and social service fields; individuals from arts organizations; teaching artists, and others.

Music's Impact on Dementia and the Brain
May 1, 2025
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Register here

Join us for an insightful and informative webinar led by Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino, an internationally renowned expert in music therapy and neurologic rehabilitation. Dr. Tomaino will explore the powerful effects of music on the brain, particularly in relation to dementia and aging. Drawing on decades of research and clinical experience, she will explain how music can improve brain function and enhance quality of life for individuals across various health conditions. This webinar is ideal for artists, administrators, and educators across all arts disciplines, as well as healthcare practitioners and aging service providers. Whether you are involved in program development, direct care, or arts-based initiatives for older adults, this session will provide valuable knowledge on the therapeutic potential of music and the arts. Dr. Concetta M. Tomaino, DA, LCAT, MT-BC, is an internationally recognized leader in music therapy and neurologic rehabilitation. As the Executive Director and co-founder of the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function, she has dedicated her career to researching and applying music’s therapeutic effects on the brain.

This webinar is made possible by funding through the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET)

Art, Memory, and Connection: Supporting People with Dementia through Creative Aging
March 13, 2025
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Register here

This webinar will explore how arts education can improve the lives of people living with dementia. Jacob Guinan of the Oklahoma Healthy Brain Initiative will provide insights on dementia and how art can benefit individuals and caregivers. Diane Powell with the Alzheimer’s Association will speak about their early-stage engagement training program and how arts organizations can partner with Alzheimer’s Association to create programs for people experiencing memory loss. These will be followed by a panel conversation with Oklahoma teaching artists Mary Thoma, Meg Chang, and Jackie Nelson, who will share their firsthand experiences with arts programs, discussing the profound impact on both individuals with dementia and their caregivers. This session is designed for community organizations, artists, caregivers, and anyone interested in how the arts can improve the lives of older adults. Join us to learn more about the power of art in dementia care and the resources available through the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Revitalizing Voices: The Impact of "Songs by Heart" on Memory Care
October 24, 2024
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Register here

In this Oklahoma Creative Aging Initiative webinar, you'll discover the transformative power of music in memory care as we feature Tulsa Opera's innovative program, "Songs by Heart." This engaging session is designed for professionals working with older adults, especially those affected by dementia and Alzheimer's. Join us as we explore how Tulsa Opera's "Songs by Heart" program uses professional-level singers to create enriching, interactive experiences in memory care communities. Through a blend of therapeutic techniques—mirroring, verbal and gestural prompts, direct eye contact, and physical touch—performances aim to reconnect residents with their voices and memories.

Oklahoma Creative Aging Exchange II
Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Presented by the Oklahoma Arts Council and hosted at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, the Oklahoma Creative Aging Exchange II was a day-long professional development convening featuring presentations, panel discussions, performances, and breakout sessions centered on ways to improve quality of life for older Oklahomans through the arts. The event was free and open to everyone, ideal for arts and cultural organizations, teaching artists, and individuals from health, aging, and social service organizations. Made possible with support in part by Mid-America Arts Alliance.

Making Theatre with Older Adults
Monday, January 29, 2024
View webinar on YouTube

Scientific evidence shows that participating in making theatre creates healthy pathways for older adults. Register now and tune in for a conversation with Tulsa Performing Arts Center’s Jeremy Stevens and drama therapist Caitlin Cairns to learn how theatre activities can improve the health and vitality of older adults. This webinar will inform of the benefits of the work, and how to take steps towards creating and implementing theatre programs for older adults in your community.

Making the Most of Longevity
Presented by Old School
Thursday, June 15, 2023
View webinar on YouTube

This Oklahoma Creative Aging Initiative online workshop helped teaching artists, arts administrators, aging service providers, and others consider the prevalance and effects of ageism, and discover ways of countering it to provide effective programming for older Oklahomans. The workshop was led by Old School, a nonprofit organization that provides education about ageism. Participants learned what it is like to teach and take a workshop for older adults, exploring biases that interfere with providing equitable experiences and learning to reframe inaccurate stereotypes about aging.

The Benefits of Dance and Movement
April 21, 2023
View webinar on YouTube

The Oklahoma Creative Aging Exchange
Thursday, August 25, 2022

Presented by the Oklahoma Arts Council, the Oklahoma Creative Aging Exchange gave Oklahomans the chance to connect with others interested in learning about Creative Aging programs. The day-long gathering featured presentations, performances, panel conversations, table talks, and more. Afternoon breakout sessions were followed by a speed networking session, with a discussion of next steps concluding the day.

Creative Aging Design and Development for Teaching Artists
March 28-30, 2022

In this three-day training session, participants learned about the development of skill-based, sequential instructional lessons for older adults. Best practices and exemplary programming were highlighted.

Creative Aging Foundations Training for Arts, Senior Service, and Community Organizations
April 4-6, 2022

In this three-day training session, participants learned about current research on arts and aging, best practices in the field, responsive programming development, and more.

Questions?
For more information contact our Arts Learning in Communities Director.