Creative Aging
Creative aging is the practice of using artistic and creative engagement to enhance well-being, boost physical and cognitive abilities, and enrich our quality of life as we age.
Program overview
The Nevada Arts Council Creative Aging program provides art education to older Nevadans. Art programs can help older adults discover new interests and build lasting friendships.
Creative aging programs combat chronic loneliness, which affects 25% of older adults. The number of adults aged 55+ will increase significantly in the coming years. It’s more important than ever to develop programs that support healthy aging.
Teaching and teachers
With the support of a national grant, the Nevada Arts Council has launched the Creative Aging, Creative Futures program. This is a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy. This program supports online, interactive training for Nevada library staff, senior centers, teaching artists, and other organizations to bring creative learning opportunities to underserved and remote communities.
Collaborating for more impact
The Nevada Arts Council is a member of the Creative Aging in the West Project through Lifetime Arts. The partnership includes five Western states – Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming.
We support creative aging with grant funding and professional development for teaching artists. We also support program implementation. This is what our work looks like in practice.
- Offer art classes tailored to older adults.
- Place teaching artists and programs at public libraries, senior centers, and community-based sites
- Fund teaching artist fees and materials costs to keep classes free for older adults
- Build partnerships to expand the program
Nevada Creative Aging Coalition
We created the Nevada Creative Aging Coalition to grow this program and expand our reach. We build partnerships and collaborate with others who are also passionate about working with older adults. These groups include the nonprofit, education, government, healthcare, and business sectors. We collaborate through statewide convenings, meetings, and email outreach.
- Promote and expand access to creative aging programs
- Increase funding for current and future programs
- Influence public policy to include the arts as part of holistic care for older adults
- Educate the public on the benefits of creative aging
- Build partnerships to connect older adults to local arts-based experiences
Why it matters
Arts education is not just arts and crafts. It’s a pathway to personal growth, mental and emotional wellness, and a deeper connection to ourselves and one another. Studies show that creating art improves brain function, reduces loneliness, and provides a sense of purpose. Through the arts, we celebrate and help share the valuable wisdom, stories, and experiences of older adults.
Creative aging challenges negative ideas about getting older. It promotes communities that are welcoming to people of all ages. These programs encourage creativity, mental engagement, and connection across generations, helping people thrive throughout life. They create spaces where learning is enjoyable, inclusive, and rewarding for everyone.
Stay in the loop with Nevada’s arts news, events, and opportunities.
Our directories
Find and connect with a Nevada artist, teaching artist, or art organization for your class, group, or organization.