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Kelowna BC Canada
Telephone 250.870.2690
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The ArtsCare Program of the Okanagan Institute
There will be no ArtsCare meetings for October and November, while Karen Close is away. However, she did want to share her enthusiasm for what she learned from her attendance at a symposium for Creative Aging in Calgary. She returned eager to see KelownaÕs facilities launch similar programming. We are the community with the largest senior population per capital in Canada.
The message of the conference was: The goals and programs of Creative Aging are built on the following precept that Art is the transformation of the tangible (bodies, instruments, paper, ink, clay, fabric) and intangible (words, sounds, memories, emotions, ideas) into something new, such as sculpture, living history theater, musical performances, stories, paintings, dance, quilts, or poems. The process of creating, as well as the art that is created, transforms the participants and the people around them: other participants, family members, professional caregivers, and everyone who experiences the art. The artistic discipline, specifically in the performing arts, is transformed by the inclusion of older adults. And older adults in the audience benefit when they see themselves reflected in the artists É The arts are known to enhance the quality of life in different but parallel ways for communities and for individuals.
Community arts programs run by professional artists have powerful positive results. Involvement in challenging, participatory programs has a positive effect on physical health, mental health, and social functioning in older adults. Art has true health promotion and disease prevention effects and helps older adults to maintain independence and reduce the dependency, which drives the need for long-term care.
The reduction to healthcare costs these results indicate are possible is obvious and needs to be explored at this time more than any previous time in history. In particular our BC government maintains healthcare is a prioroity while the arts are not. It would seem the role of arts in healthcare needs to be examined with an eye to the new research being done.
Please visit http://www.creativeaging.org Êand you will be inspire to promote creative aging programming in the Okanagan.
The initiatives begun this fall continue to move forward. Updates of information are highlighted below. If you wish to participate or get more information please contact the names listed. Please support and promote them by contacting the project leaders.
1. Beverly Rein sumactree@shaw.ca, a board member of the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, reports that Art Therapist Vicky Moore at Cottonwoods says they'll be setting their new schedule soon and with board approval we could start in early October to do visual art classes. There are two areas that would probably be suitable, in the long term residents units and in the dementia unit, working with some small groups and some individuals would be beneficial. Beverly will be seeking volunteers from our group to assist with classes. Sessions should begin in October.
2. Robert MacDonald info@okanaganinstitute.com, 250.870.2690, is helping organize a Celebration for Hospice. This event will take place Saturday November 21st, 7-9 pm at the Okanagan College Theatre on KLO Road in Kelowna. It will be an evening of live musical performances by local groups and individuals interspersed with short hospice stories. There is no cost but donations will be accepted. A volunteer team is required to help with staging and presenting the event, recruiting musical groups and artists , hospice story tellers, and a celebrity MC, and networking with service clubs and others. More information will be posted on this section of the Okanagan Institute website.
3. Nigel Brown sing@sing4yourlife.ca, 250.860.5408, reports that Sing For Your Life pilot project in the Okanagan Valley known as Silver Song Clubs. The City of Kelowna, Recreational and Cultural Affairs Department has committed to co-supporting one club in the downtown area. Discussions are also taking place with the Wellness Center in Peachland to launch a complimentary program to their existing Variety Singing group. Launch date TBA. With these agreements in place the focus will be on establishing SFYL BC locally and as a legal entity. SFYL UK will provide initial funding and access to a variety of tools and resources that have proven invaluable to their organisation's growth. We will be working closely with the AIRS (Advancing the Interdisciplinary Research in Singing) project to assist in their research. We have issued a call for supporters.
4. Avril Paice avriltory@shawcable.com, 250.763.1040, reports that following another successful Wild Woman, Wise Woman fundraiser, the Rose Sexsmith Foundation has donated funds to renovate and give supplies for a creativity room at the Kelowna Women's Shelter. The room is now complete with drums and other musical instruments, easels, art supplies and yoga mats. ÊThe facility is excellent and open to any ArtsCare suggestions. Some programs will be paid and some volunteer. Specific questions should be directed to Avril. The Centre also works with the Y to give arts related programs for young women. In specific they would very much like assistance from anyone able to do silk screening for t-shirts.
We anticipate an active future for ArtsCare. Excellent initiatives are in place and ready to grow with your support.
» To add your information to the members registry, go HERE.
» Background information about the Roundtable is HERE.
» A Directory of ArtsCare Members is HERE.
Saturday 21 November 2009, 7pm | Okanagan College Theatre, KLO Road, Kelowna
Musical performances and readings honouring our loved ones and caregivers.
The ArtsCare program of the Okanagan Institute at Okanagan College presents Music and Memories to support the programs of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. This is a free event.
ArtsCare events are presented by the Okanagan Institute
in association with Okanagan College.
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