Arts in Care: call for artists - Improving the lives of older people through creativity

Arts in Care will enable 18 artists with a commitment to developing their skills working in Scotland’s care sector, to help embed high quality creative practice within the sector, with the long-term aim of building the skills, capacity and strength of both the arts and care sectors.

Anne Gallacher, Director of Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation commented: “Arts in Care will be a central strand in our growing year-round development programme, which is designed to support the development of arts and creativity with, by and for older people. There is growing evidence of the positive impact of creative activities as we get older, and a programme that supports artists and care professionals to provide creative opportunities for older people living in care homes is an exciting development for Scotland.”

Participants will undertake a programme of training delivered by Equal Arts’ creative ageing charity supporting older people and those living with dementia. Sessions will explore dementia and imagination, story-telling and mixed art form approaches, in addition to training in working within care setting environments, safeguarding, planning and evaluating.

Iain Munro, Acting CEO, Creative Scotland commented: “Taking part in creative activities can make a real difference to people’s quality of life and health, both physically and mentally. Arts in Care will not only support artists development but also lay foundations for better ways of working and knowledge exchange between the arts and care sectors.”

Today’s announcement represents the first in a two-stage approach. In Spring 2020 the second phase of the project will begin with support learning and capacity building by placing artists within the care sector to deliver skills development for care home staff, managers and inspectors.

Christina McKelvie, Minister for Equalities and Older People commented: “The Scottish Government recognises the benefits for older people of taking part in creative activities, with positive impacts on health, wellbeing and addressing social isolation and loneliness. We therefore welcome the new Arts in Care initiative and look forward to following the progress of the successful applicants’ work.”

Heather Edwards, Interim Head of Improvement Support at the Care Inspectorate commented: “The Care Inspectorate is delighted to join Luminate, Creative Scotland and the Baring Foundation to promote the value of high quality creative and arts programmes for people living in Scotland’s care homes. People experiencing care should have the opportunity to live full and fulfilled lives and the arts for many offer an important aspect of wellbeing.”

ENDS