creative aging
Creative Aging is a relatively recent field of practice that emerged from the larger Arts in Health field which the National Organization for Arts in Health defines as, “a field dedicated to using the power of the arts to enhance health and well-being in diverse institutional and community contexts.”
LexPhil, in partnership with community partners, craft robust and meaningful programming to serve learners of all ages including free performances with the Lexington Senior Center and courses through the University of Kentucky Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Collaboration with THE CITY OF LEXINGTON
In the Summer of 2022, LexPhil initiated a partnership with the LFUCG Department of Aging and Disability Services to co-develop creative aging programs for adults 60 and older residing in Fayette County. The following Fall, LexPhil launched the first nine-week program at the Charles Young Community Center open to people of all musical abilities.
Now, LexPhil has been able to offer free chamber performances at both the Charles Young Community Center and the Lexington Senior Center through this continued collaboration.
LexPhil’s performances at the Lexington Senior Center are made possible with the support of the Friends of the Senior Centers who were awarded a Performing Artists Directory-Touring Grant through a program of the Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, which is supported by state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
MAKING MUSIC WITH OSHER LIFELONG LEARNERS
LexPhil partners with the University of Kentucky Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to offer two semester long courses including Mountain Dulcimer 101 and Music Composition with Computers.
Taught by Learning & Partnership Programs Manager Mary Elizabeth Henton, Mountain Dulcimer 101 covers essential basics, including establishing a comfortable playing position, tuning the instrument, playing fundamental chords, reading dulcimer tablature, and employing simple strumming techniques.
Then, Music Composition with Computers taught by Teaching Artist Addison Bird, gives participants the opportunity to learn general music fundamentals, traditional composition, and modern music creation methods featuring synthesizers, beat-making, and sampling.
