Here you can find resources developed by our Arts Programme. Our Arts Programme supports the participation and representation of all older people in cultural and creative life in Ireland.
Toolkits & Guidance
Arts & Creative Charter for Older People – the arts sector’s commitment to promoting key values and guiding principles in engaging with older people.
A Toolkit for Arts & Creativity in Care Settings – a practical guide to making the arts and creativity part of everyday life in a care setting.
Guidelines for working with Older People and the Arts – for people of all ages who organise arts and cultural
events that involve older people as organisers, artists, participants or audience.
Challenging Ageism – a guide to talking about ageism and older age produced by the UK’s Centre for Ageing Better.
Mind Your Language – an Age & Opportunity language guide for private and public conversations with and about older persons.
Resources for organising Bealtaine Festival events – a link to our website bealtaine.ie for Ireland’s national celebration of the arts and creativity as we age.
Research
Evaluation of Care Hubs of Arts and Creative Excellence Initiatives, August 2021
Bealtaine Festival Evaluation, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2008
Videos
Bealtaine 2023 Discussion: Generational Drama
The Gathering 2021 – Rita Marcalo & Carmel Ennis
Bealtaine Discussion Series 2021: Care
Age & Opportunity Arts in Care Toolkit: Dance Activity Full Class with Philippa Donnellan, 2021
Isabelle Gaborit at the Bealtaine festival Gathering, 2011
Useful Links
Arts & Health Coordinators Ireland – Mapping Arts & Health Activity in Ireland (2019) – report
Arts & Health Coordinators Ireland – Mapping Arts & Health Activity in Ireland (2019) – infographic
A Handbook for Cultural Engagement with Older Men – a guide to involving older men in the arts.
Age UK’s Index of Wellbeing in Later Life
Anam Beo – Guidelines for Artists working in Healthcare 2015
Baring Foundation – Ageing Artfully
Baring Foundation – Each Breath is Valuable – evaluation of arts in care homes programme
Baring Foundation – Treasury of Arts Activities for Older People – 50 activities, long and short, for use in any setting with older people
Creative Enquiry – Artist Residency & Older People Engagement Project
Creative Ageing in Finland (Baring Foundation) – report
Cultural Reflections – Scaling up Health/Arts programmes – report by Carolina Estevao et al
Department of Health, Positive Ageing National Report 2016
HSE – Places to Flourish – a pattern based approach to foster change in residential care
IMMA – Arts & Ageing Outcome Report
Review of the Impact of Participatory Arts on Older People – Mental Health Foundation report
Shift in Perspective – An Arts & Disability Resource Pack – Arts & Disability Ireland
Tilda: Creative Activity in the Ageing Population – report
University of Sheffield – Creative Lives: Dismantling Ageism in the Professional Art World – report
