What is the Creative Ageing Writing Bursary?
The Age & Opportunity Creative Ageing Writing Bursary aims to generate discussion, debate and knowledge about creative ageing in Ireland.
How does it work?
The bursary is intended to afford time and space for an artist/ writer to reflect on their practice – the learnings, insights but also challenges they have faced. The writer/artist might also want to consider how they have approached working with older people and the learnings generated through that.
One award of €1000 will be made to the successful applicant.
How can I get involved?
The applications for the 2021 bursary are now closed. The inaugural bursary has been awarded to Dublin-based theatre-maker, playwright, and performer, Michelle Read.
Michelle will produce an essay on the topic of creative ageing and her learnings as an artist, to be published by Age & Opportunity later in the year.
Please check back for details of the 2021 essay and 2022 bursary applications.
What is the research on Artist in Residence in a Care Setting Initiative?
In 2021, we published research on our Artist in Residence in a Care Setting initiative which was authored by independent research and training consultant Dr Bernard McDonald. The initiative demonstrates and celebrates the positive impact of ageing creatively.
How does it work?
The research examines the capacity of care settings in Ireland to interact with the arts and it also considers how to embed the arts in the culture of care settings more generally.
How can I get involved?
ORGANISATION & ART PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT : To support and inform arts organisations who work with or wish to work with older people and to raise the standard of arts practice more generally in the area of the arts and older people.
We believe that, whether you are 8 or 80 years old, we all should have access and opportunities to attend and participate in the arts and to realise our creative potential. Fresh thinking, bold experimentation and creativity are all fundamental to delivering a high quality of life for older people.
Research shows that arts programmes involving music, visual arts and drama, among other activities, have a profound influence on the quality of life of older people, with positive impacts on health, psychological well-being, confidence and autonomy as well as other benefits such as:
- happiness
- mental wellbeing
- reduced stress
- improved cognition
- sense of identity and personhood
- increased self-esteem and confidence
- reduced boredom.
