Creative Aging Calgary Society

by Gail Hinchliffe, President, and Dianne McDermid, Director of Education and Programming

The Creative Aging Calgary Society (CACS) was formed in 2009 to increase awareness of the positive physical impact that arts participation can have on older adults. To date, we have held two symposiums targeted at older adults, artists, and professionals who work with older adults. The first symposium introduced the concept of creative aging and provided snapshots of nineteen local arts and seniors initiatives. The second symposium included a workshop on how to develop creative aging programs, followed by concurrent workshops on art, drama, and music. Susan Perlstein, from the National Centre for Creative Aging in Washington DC was keynote speaker and a workshop leader at these events.

CACS is currently planning their third symposium to be held Thursday, April 26, 2012. Keynote speakers at this symposium will include Jeff Nachtigall, practicing artist and artist-in-residence at Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon Saskatchewan, and David Dworking, a clarinetist and orchestra maestro, who, upon retiring, developed an innovative exercise program called “Conductorcize.” The symposium will include workshops on art forms as well as a showcase of seniors’ creative expression activities. For more information about this event, visit the website http://www.creativeagingcalgary.ca/

Membership in CASC is free and includes access to resources and a regular newsletter.