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Vermont arts groups tell House Health Care committee creative-aging programs reduce isolation, link to health services
Summary
Representatives of the Vermont Arts Council and Main Street Arts told the House Health Care committee on Feb. 12 that creative-aging programs — from weekly lunches to multiweek classes and songwriter pairings — promote social connection and wellness for older Vermonters and rely on mixed federal, state and private funding.
Troy Hickman, a Vermont Arts Council representative, and Main Street Arts leaders told the Vermont House Committee on Health Care on Feb. 12 about a statewide Creative Aging initiative that pairs arts programming with elder services to address social isolation and promote health and wellness.
The Vermont Arts Council has supported creative-aging grants and training for local organizations and teaching artists, Hickman said. Over about four years the council awarded roughly $200,000 in grants to about 20 community organizations and helped train about 40 teaching artists who can work with older adults, he said. The council’s work aligns with the state’s Age Strong plan, which highlights social connection as a core principle for older Vermonters.
Main Street Arts board chair Susan Still described activities at her Saxons River organization, where weekly free lunches average about 32 older participants and classes are…
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