Arizona: Generation(s) Lab

The Arizona Commission on the Arts (ACA) has begun the second phase of its three-year AZ Creative Aging Initiative, which it launched in 2015 with support from Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to encourage development of arts programs for older adults and to disseminate related knowledge and best practices. The new component, Generation(s) Lab, is a free incubator program for Maricopa County arts organizations, local arts agencies and tribal cultural organizations committed to improving their ability to serve older adults through existing or new programs. From November 2016 through May 2017, the 11 participating groups will complete a comprehensive needs assessment, develop a creative aging program plan, attend professional development workshops with leaders in the field, including Anne Basting and Jorge Merced, and undertake specialized trainings and work with consultants. In addition to building capacity, Generation(s) Lab aims to encourage innovation and experimentation in how organizations connect with older populations and roll out programs to benefit them. At the end of seven months, participating groups not only will be better prepared to engage in creative aging but also will have a peer network to call on and will be eligible for ACA funding to implement their creative aging plans. For more information, contact ACA Communications & Research Director Steve Wilcox.