Leveraging Longevity: Arts and Aging in America

Monday, October 18, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Organized by Rohit Burman, director, Culture & Public Broadcasting, MetLife Foundation; Gay Hanna, executive director, National Center for Creative Aging.

Presented by Ken Cole, associate director, National Guild for Community Arts Education; Liz Lerman, founding artistic director, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange; Jorge Merced, associate artistic director, Pregones Theater.

The “graying” of America promises dramatic change in every aspect of American life. A critical gap exists between arts provisions and aging services for this growing demographic. Arts participation is proven to increase the health and well-being of older adults, but few organizations offer quality professional arts programs for this expanding population. This session will explore opportunities for building capacity: leveraging resources across the spectrum of arts, aging, social services, health, and education portfolios to change facility and program development business models; broadening non-art partnerships; and expanding workforce development. Emphasis will be placed on lifelong learning, economic development, and civic engagement.