The Arts & Aging Network is a Newfoundland & Labrador charity dedicated to creative aging, intergenerational connection, and dementia-inclusive community arts. Our strive to provide engaging opportunities for older adults, people living with dementia, youth, caregivers, artists, and community members to connect through meaningful, accessible, high-quality arts experiences. The organization has expanded rapidly over the past two years in response to growing community demand, and we are committed to creating sustainable Arts and Aging programming in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Our core objectives are to:

- Increase social inclusion and wellbeing for older adults through creative engagement.

- Provide dementia-inclusive, stigma-reducing programming for individuals and caregivers.

- Foster intergenerational relationships between youth and seniors.

- Train our staff, artists, and volunteers in the Arts & Aging Approach and Dementia Sensitivity & Engagement.

- Strengthen community connection and age-friendly culture through accessible, barrier-free arts programming.

- Support professional artists in meaningful community arts roles.

- Ensure all programming is delivered safely and consistently through standardized training, clear program protocols, and experienced facilitators.

- Reach isolated seniors in the province with limited opportunity to participate in meaningful and intentional arts engagement.

We minimize participation barriers by:

- Delivering programs directly on-site in seniors’ homes, community centres, schools, libraries, and neighbourhood spaces.

- Ensuring all programs are dementia-inclusive, physically accessible, and engaging without pressure to participate.

- Reaching small communities through regional representation.

- Providing programs at no cost or low cost to facilities.

- Training every artist, facilitator and volunteer in the Arts & Aging Approach and Dementia Sensitivity and Engagement. (GrandPals receive tailored orientation)

- Offering programs during daytime hours, accessible to older adults, caregivers, and those without private transportation.

- Using flexible formats that adapt to varying physical, sensory, and cognitive needs.

Programs:

Sunshine Singers: interactive, dementia-inclusive musical engagement sessions; options of one large group visit or room-to-room. The program includes prepared setlists, rehearsed facilitators, and structured engagement for diverse cognitive needs

Arts for Life Series: 8-week programs in music, theatre, movement, and visual arts, focusing on creativity for the participants; can take place in homes or community settings for seniors.

GrandPals: senior volunteers from the community sharing stories with elementary school students that result in an art project the students present to their GrandPals.

Pen Pals: students write back and forth with seniors in long-term care; artists deliver workshops to break down stereotypes and encourage empathy.

Youth Sunshines: ages 12–17 trained as intergenerational volunteers supporting engagement, confidence, and connection through music in care homes.

Mobile Outreach – The Old School Bus: arts programming delivered to care homes, community groups, and neighbourhoods across the Eastern and Avalon regions, reducing transportation barriers.

Creative Performances (e.g., Music of Your Life): Professional, interactive performances created to travel into any space in a seniors’ home or community centre, bringing the full excitement and connection of live theatre directly to the audience.