New creative arts program for dementia wellness
Noosa Regional Gallery and Noosa Council have introduced a new creative arts program supporting quality of life and well-being for people living with dementia.
The "Brushing Memories: Artful Journeys for Dementia Wellness" program, introduced by Noosa Regional Gallery and Noosa Council, is a creative arts initiative designed to enhance the quality of life and well-being of individuals living with dementia. This program, set to commence in 2024, offers artmaking and conversation sessions free of charge. It is available to both residents of residential care facilities and the general public. The program's delivery involves a Sunshine Coast-based artist educator and is supported by volunteers from Noosa Regional Gallery. In preparation, a specialized training workshop for local arts and health professionals is being organized in collaboration with the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). This workshop aims to build community partnerships for a sustainable program and provide professional development for broader community engagement. The program is inspired by the success of similar initiatives at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA), which have demonstrated significant benefits like improved self-confidence, well-being, and social cohesion among participants.
This initiative aligns closely with the mission of Arts For Every Body, to demonstrate the power of arts in fostering healthier individuals and communities. Arts For Every Body is set to launch large-scale participatory art projects across 18 cities in America on July 27, 2024. These projects will involve a diverse range of artists and community members, including muralists, poets, dancers, and more, to celebrate American pluralism and unity through diversity. The objective is to use the arts to build healthier communities and enhance individual well-being, reflecting the broader movement to recognize and utilize the arts as a vital component in health and social care.
Furthermore, Arts For Every Body emphasizes the connection between arts participation and health benefits. Research led by Dr. Jill Sonke at the University of Florida Center for Arts in Medicine supports this, showing that arts participation can significantly reduce the risk of depression and dementia, comparable to the benefits of regular exercise. It also highlights the social benefits of arts participation, such as increased school retention rates among young adults and higher civic engagement. This initiative represents a significant moment in the intersection of arts and health in America, aiming to repair the social fabric of the nation and heal communities through the power of the arts.
The "Brushing Memories" program at Noosa Regional Gallery resonates with the objectives of Arts For Every Body by using art as a medium to enhance the well-being and social inclusion of people living with dementia. Both initiatives recognize the transformative power of art in health and community well-being, advocating for its integration into broader health and social care practices.
