In the next ten years, one in five Indiana citizens will be 65 and older.
In order to address the creative needs of this growing segment of our population, and help grow the career portfolio of artists in Indiana, the Indiana Arts Commission is starting a new initiative, Lifelong Arts Indiana, geared towards developing our creative workforce in service to our older Hoosiers.
The Indiana Arts Commission, Traditional Arts Indiana, and five community partners all around the state are excited to invite artists to a community meeting to learn about creative aging, upcoming training, and future funding opportunities.
| Date | Time | Community Partner | Registration Link |
| June 8, 2021 | 1:00 p.m. CT/2:00 p.m. ET | Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana | Registration Now Closed |
| June 21, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. CT/11:00 a.m. ET | Tippecanoe Arts Federation | Click to register. |
| June 22, 2021 | 1:00 p.m. CT/2:00 p.m. ET | Community Foundation of St. Joseph County | Click to register. |
| June 24, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. CT/11:00 a.m. ET | Indiana Arts Commission - Please note, this session is for arts administrators | Click to register. |
| June 28, 2021 | 10:00 a.m. CT/11:00 a.m. ET | Northwestern Indiana | Click to register. |
| June 29, 2021 | 1:00 p.m. CT/2:00 p.m. ET | Southeastern Indiana | Click to register. |
Lifelong Arts Indiana is a learning opportunity for Hoosier artists to develop their skills in designing creative experiences for older adults. Informed by field best-practices, Lifelong Arts Indiana empowers artists to develop their own approach to sharing creative experiences with older adults, ages sixty-five and older, in their community—and provides access to funds to help make it happen.
Lifelong Arts Indiana includes:
- Creative Aging Learning Course: A three-day workshop that explores best practices in creative aging and strategies to develop an effective, sequential arts learning experience for older adults.
- One-To-One Coaching- Curriculum Building: Follow up sessions to help each individual create their own creative aging curriculum
- One-To-One Coaching - Partnership Building: Follow-up sessions on creating community partnerships to reach the aging community in their area.
- Fellowship: A funding opportunity for special funds to put the Creative Aging Learning Course lessons into action.
Lifelong Arts Indiana participants who receive a Certificate of Completion are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Lifelong Arts Fellowship. Applicants may request up to $1,000 for a project that takes place between January 1 and June 30, 2022, and provides a sequential arts learning experience for a group of older adults in their community. The proposal must meet the review criteria and will be reviewed by a conflict-free panel of creatives.
There is no cost to participants. Funding for this program is provided through the Indiana General Assembly and by a grant provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in partnership with Aroha Philanthropies.
Deadline to Apply | August 4, 2021 |
Three-day workshop (virtual) | October 13, 14, 15, 2021 |
Fellowship implementation period | January 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022 |
Final Reporting | September 15, 2022 |
While any artist or creative that meets the eligibility requirements may apply, early to mid-career artists (at any age) who have at least a small amount of experience in sharing their arts with a community through teaching will get the most out of this experience.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be an individual. Organizations may not apply.
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be a US Citizen
- Must be an Indiana resident and remain a full-time Indiana resident through the end of the fellowship period
- Click here to download the draft guidelines and view the full list of eligible creative disciplines
Selection Priorities
Applications will be reviewed and recommended by a conflict-free admissions committee of peers and professionals. The admissions committee will select up to 25 participants who are passionate about sharing their artistry with the community and understanding the role older adults play in our communities. Further, the committee will use these priorities to create a cohort that has:
- Variety of artistic career experience
- Statewide representation
- Variety of creative disciplines
- Diverse racial/ethnic representation
- Diverse age representation
- Representation of underserved populations
Stephanie Haines
Arts Education and Accessibility Manager
Indiana Arts Commission
(317) 450-9973
Click here to apply through the Indiana Arts Commission's online grant system.
This initiative is made possible by a grant provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in partnership with Aroha Philanthropies. Training, coaching, consulting, and resources for Lifelong Arts Indiana have been provided by Lifetime Arts, the national leader in creative aging programs and services.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please reach out to Stephanie Haines at shaines@iac.in.gov to make a request.