Arts Commission expands Creative Aging programming, funding to arts organizations  

INDIANA – The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced today an expansion of Lifelong Arts, a program that promotes arts and creativity services for older adults across the state, through a partnership with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy.  

Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations is an expansion of the IAC’s portfolio of opportunities for the state’s older adults. Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations joins existing programs for artists and aging services providers in partnership with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Aging to offer creative experiences for older adults. Four arts organizations will be selected to participate in Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations, forming a cohort that together will learn and grow in creative aging practice — ultimately becoming leaders and mentors sharing with others what they’ve learned.  

Miah Michaelsen

“After seeing such impressive creative aging work across the state from artists and aging services providers through Lifelong Arts Indiana, we are excited to open this opportunity to arts organizations,” said Miah Michaelsen, IAC Executive Director. ‘We are grateful for the partnership of NASAA and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy to bring training and funding to support creative aging work to arts organizations.” 

Organizations selected for this program will receive up to $20,000 to participate in training and develop and implement a robust pilot creative aging program. 

Arts organizations best suited for this opportunity regularly provide arts education activities, including hosting classes on or off-site, and provide access and services to underserved communities. Successful applicants will have the ability, infrastructure, experience, and expertise to establish a creative aging program as part of their ongoing efforts. Read the full guidelines.  

Applications for Lifelong Arts for Arts Organizations are due on October 13, 2023. Access the application.

Learn more about Lifelong Arts Indiana.