There once was a WALL

"..If you painted, or performed, or wrote, or engaged in any form of creativity, the very nature of the wall could change, and change you."
Creative Aging brings the arts to older adults where they live or gather. To do that, they hire professional musicians and other artists to perform and teach in nursing homes, retirement communities, senior centers and daycare facilities. Arts-related programs have a significant and measurable impact on seniors’ cognitive, emotional and physical well-being. Older adults who participate in arts programs report a higher overall rating of physical health, fewer doctor visits, less medication use, fewer instances of falls, and fewer other health problems than those who do not participate. Please watch this short but inspiring video.

The Wall with Credits from Spoke on Vimeo.

ARTS ED NOW

"The arts tap into your soul, your love and your passion, and all those things that make you a well rounded human being"
ArtsEdNow is a a statewide campaign to increase active participation in arts education at all schools in New Jersey. Their campaign goals for 2020 include extend the access to arts education to all NJ students, increase the number of schools providing more than two art forms, increase arts participation in all schools and school engagement with community cultural groups.

ArtsEdNow Video from rosanna sanchez on Vimeo.

ArtsEdNow Voices from NJAEP on Vimeo.

Finding your Voice through the Arts

"I think music is gonna help me achieve my dream"
Based in Paterson, New Jersey, the Paterson Music Project (PMP) is an El Sistema-inspired program of the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts that uses music as a vehicle for social change by empowering and inspiring children through the community experience of ensemble learning and playing. PMP provides intensive, low-tuition musical training to students throughout Paterson after school. Students study a primary instrument (violin, cello, viola, bass, clarinet, flute, or trumpet) and participate in ensemble practice and instrumental sectionals. Students also study music theory, music history, aural training, and singing. Students perform frequently for the school and community.
-- Read "Keeping the Promise, Arts Education for Every Child"

Studio Schools

"We feel we're on the beginning of a journey of experiment and improvement to turn the Studio School idea into something which is present, not as a universal answer for every child, but at least as an answer for some children in every part of the world."
Studio Schools are a new type of government-funded state school for 14-19 year olds of all abilities. It is a relatively new educational concept in the UK, which seeks to address the growing gap between the skills and knowledge that young people require to succeed, and those that the current education system provides. Studio Schools pioneer a bold new approach to learning which includes teaching through enterprise projects and real work. This approach ensures students' learning in is rooted in the real world and helps them to develop the skills they need to flourish in life.
-- Go to GOV.UK website
-- Watch "Nurture Your Talents! UK's Studio Schools" on the Learning World / Wise Channel

My Dream, My Right

Voices of the Children is a nonprofit organization based in the United States. They believe every child should have a platform for self-expression. All children should have access to resources that develop creativity and promote collaboration. They pair teens around the world in collaborative arts projects to shine a spotlight on humanitarian crisis, promote social advocacy and inspire positive change. Their mission is to empower future generations to realize that a voice, when inspired from within and echoed by others, is a powerful agent to create change in the local and global community. CONNECTIONS THROUGH THE ARTS CAN TEAR DOWN WALLS, ENCOURAGE TOLERANCE AND FOSTER CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING.
-- Go to Luc and the Lovingtons
-- Explore the Goodness Tour

"The world is hungry for action, not words"

About 1,000 people are known to have been killed by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, with aid officials saying up to 90% of some areas have been destroyed. The World Health Organization is now sending a million cholera vaccine doses to Haiti, amid concerns over the rising number of cases in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) is a non-profit organization that encourages peace and social justice and addresses issues of poverty around the world. Their immediate goal is to serve the poorest communities in Haiti with programs in education, healthcare, and dignity through the arts. They are committed to long-term, sustainable development in direct partnership with the Haitian people. Their model is simple: They believe in empowering local communities, fostering economic growth, and the power of education to change a nation. Luckily their students, staff and schools are all safe, but much work needs to be done in the communities worst affected by the hurricane.
>> Read how to support Haiti

The Work from APJ Now on Vimeo.

Together We Will Go Far - Vhernier from APJ Now on Vimeo.

How to change the world

Please listen to Charles...it is as SIMPLE as that.

Nakuru Children's Project is dedicated to relieving poverty and improving education for children in Nakuru, Kenya. They believe that through education, children can build better futures for themselves and their families.
-- Read "4 children explain how education has changed their lives"



Join us #belowtheline to change the futures of 200 children from Nakuru Children's Project on Vimeo.

Aging creatively

Music and art can also enrich the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease. Both allow for self-expression and engagement, even after dementia has progressed (read more on alz.org website).
The Creative Ageing project was first established in 2010 by the Courtyard, an arts centre with a dedicated team engaging older people with the arts, be that in their vibrant city centre venue, out in the community as part of their collaborative projects with groups like Alzheimer’s Society, or delivering specialist arts sessions in care homes across the county.
-- Learn about the Remember me project

The arts keep us alive

"As you get older you don’t often think about chances or potential. The potential in someone who is getting older is there and that is a lovely thing.”
New research shows how arts and culture can help to improve health, wellbeing and quality of life for older people aged 65 and upwards (read more on Arts Council England website).
Equal Arts a leading creative ageing charity supporting older people in Newcastle, Gateshead and across the UK. They strongly believe in the health benefits of the arts and support care staff and artists to deliver musical, visual and movement-based creative activities with active older people and those living with dementia.



Creativity Matters - How volunteering and creativity can support us as we age from Equal Arts on Vimeo.