to what extent do communities intersect with opportunities for creativity? how should we aim to...
TRANSCRIPT
To what extent do communities intersect with opportunities for creativity?
How should we aim to remake or rethink “communities” in the light of the need to age actively and creatively?
MANCHESTER CULTURAL OFFER FOR OLDER PEOPLELiz Postlethwaite www.smallthings.org.uk
The Mancunian Context
Work that has been developed over a period of 8 years
Desire to consider creativity within a wider context of a city wide ageing strategy
Creativity and culture as a key factor in health and wellbeing throughout life – including older age
Mancunian Context #2
Idea of active participation versus passive engagement
Important of being creatively active throughout our lives
How can creative interaction invigorate urban communities and people’s lives?
How can communities be connected with creativity? Interaction with artists, art and creative organisations.
Stage One
Part of Manchester City Council Valuing Older People Programme
Positive Images of Ageing campaign – introduction of creative / cultural ideas
Concept of creative process, image and older people
National / international acclaim
Cultural programme for Full of Life Festival allowing organisations to test the water
Stage Two
Research and mapping
Picture of what was happening in the city
What were different organisations doing?
Who was engaging? What barriers to engagement exist?
Development of older people’s cultural manifesto
Sign up from all cultural organisations in the city
Stage Three
Support from Baring Foundation
Valuing Older People Cultural Offer Group
Quarterly meeting includes all cultural organisations in the city
Very pro-active group
3 year programme of work
How does the Stage 3 programme look?
Cultural champions programme
Outreach work in local communities
Venue based work
Advocacy / strategy
Partnership / strategy
Older people as artists – making work
Policy changemakers
Older people as decision makers throughout
600k of Additional Investment
Halle – Adopt a Player Programme
Camerata – Music in Mind (Alzheimer’s Society)
Royal Exchange – Turth About Youth (The Co-operative Group)
Library Theatre – Storybox (MICRA)
Museums – Older Volunteering Programme
Academic Research – Salford University
Older people / ageing within the organisational DNA
Future
Sustainability beyond the Baring Investment
Continuation of Cultural Champions
Older people as curators / commissioners
Creativity and culture as crucial to communities
Needs to become part of the culture / DNA of organisations working with older people – hospitals, day centres
Thank you!
Liz Postlethwaite
www.smallthings.org.uk