September 10, 2025

NASAA is thrilled to announce Creative Aging, Creative Futures, a third joint initiative with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy to advance creative aging programs and opportunities through state and jurisdictional arts agencies.

Photo courtesy of E.A. Michelson Philanthropy

This third initiative will build on prior investments in state arts agency creative aging strategies through new grants, peer learning and the continued elevation of creative aging as a national issue of importance for older adults.

The long-term partnership between NASAA, E.A. Michelson Philanthropy and state arts agencies has significantly proliferated creative aging programming nationwide. These sustained investments underscore the essential role of the arts in lifelong learning and healthy aging.

New grant opportunities will provide funding to state arts agencies to support both emerging and established creative aging initiatives. Creative Aging, Creative Futures grant guidelines will be available this fall, and funding announcements are planned for early 2026.

In addition, the Creative Aging, Creative Futures initiative will continue to support peer learning among state arts agencies through a new Creative Aging Professional Learning Community, and will elevate creative aging issue awareness by collecting data and publishing insights from funded programs.

This phase of NASAA’s ongoing partnership with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy builds upon the remarkable success of previous initiatives: Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging and States Leading Creative Aging. These vital investments have strengthened creative aging issue leadership for state arts agencies, significantly expanded arts opportunities for older adults, further integrated the arts into state aging services, and enhanced expertise in creative aging program delivery. However, much more remains to be done to ensure robust arts opportunities are available to individuals of all ages.

NASAA remains deeply grateful to our partners at E.A. Michelson Philanthropy and state arts agencies for our continued work together. Our collaboration represents a powerful public-private partnership to advance lifelong learning through the arts in communities across the country.

For more information, contact NASAA Arts Learning Projects Director Susan Oetgen.