The high museum of art's creative aging and lifelong learning department will engage atlanta's growing older population by expanding programming and partnerships for socially isolated adults

The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia received a $532,415 project grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America program. The 3-year grant will support the museum's Creative Aging and Lifelong Learning department in engaging Atlanta's growing older adult population by expanding programming and partnerships to combat social isolation. Key project activities include: meeting with local stakeholders to assess at-risk populations, researching related programs from other organizations, co-creating new programs with older adults that utilize art and social engagement, and sharing resources and knowledge through a professional convening and digital publication. The grant will also fund the hiring of a new full-time coordinator to establish replicable programs, develop relationships with health/social services, and implement all project components. This initiative aims to make the High Museum more age-friendly and deeply engage audiences that require ongoing contact to increase social connection.

Project activities include meeting with local stakeholders to assess populations who are at risk for social isolation; observing and researching related programming from national and international organizations; CO-creating programs with older adults that utilize repeat engagement with art and each other to combat social isolation; and creating resources for and sharing knowledge with colleagues through a professional convening and digital publication. This project will support hiring a new full-time coordinator who will establish replicable programs, develop reciprocal relationships with health- and social-services colleagues, and implement all project components. The project will allow the museum to engage deeply with audiences that require ongoing contact to increase social connection and will make the museum more age-friendly.