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Blog

Give those feelings ceilings – my reflections on art and mental health

George Harding is the cover artist for Creatively Minded. In this blog he explains how he came to painting and the importance of organisations like Bethlem Gallery and the Studio Upstairs in helping people to be creative.

Being creative and being together: Creative Alternatives Online

Jessica Bockler, Creative Alternatives

Creative Alternatives - an arts-on-prescription service in Merseyside - developed an online version of their arts programme in 2017. Its Director explains how they are now building on this work during the COVID-19 crisis.

Print-making workshops for older men with Highland Print Studio

Alison McMenemy, Highland Print Studio

Highland Print Studio's brilliant Wise Guys project was an unusual example of a creative ageing initiative aimed at older men and is one of the highlights of our new report On Diversity and Creative Ageing.

19 February 2020

Art is a map back to yourself: Dolly Sen on the launch of Creatively Minded

Artist Dolly Sen makes the case for the role of creativity in the lives of people with mental health problems to launch our new report - Creatively Minded: an initial mapping study of participatory arts and mental health activity in the UK.

13 February 2020

Celebrating the stories of older LGBTQ+ people in Brighton

Lee Smith, New Writing South

The stories of older LGBTQ+ people will be at the heart of a brand new theatre festival later this year, thanks to the 'Celebrating Stories' project, one of the highlights of our new report On Diversity and Creative Ageing.

18 December 2019

After the end

Our Arts & Older People programme is ending this year, but there are some exciting events early next year, as well as key grants to support ongoing development of the creative ageing sector.

17 October 2019

Perceptions of creative ageing have been transformed over the past decade

A short opinion survey we conducted with the help of Arts Professional showed that most people feel that the arts sector now gives greater priority to older people than it did ten years ago...

10 October 2019

Arts and Mental Health Activity in the UK – First Impressions

The first draft of a mapping report on Arts & Mental Health in advance of our new grants programme is nearly ready … we would love your feedback on our first impressions of the field

23 September 2019

Postcard from the Oodi* – Inclusive Arts in Finland

Finland is leading the way on both creative ageing and on arts and mental health. David Cutler reports on some stand-out initiatives.

10 September 2019

Reflections on creative ageing: Nick Capaldi, Arts Council Wales

Nick Capaldi, Arts Council Wales

Arts Council of Wales Chief Executive, Nick Capaldi, reflects on the value of challenging older people through their experience of, and engagement with, the arts.