Creative Aging Resources
Traditional arts and creative practices—such as quilting, music-making, gardening, and storytelling—can help older adults combat isolation, boredom, and helplessness. Indiana Humanities and Traditional Arts Indiana have partnered to share resources and workshops for caregivers, activity coordinators, and older adults themselves to explore meaningful engagement through culturally rich and accessible practices.
Everyday Arts in Later Life
Request an "Everyday Arts in Later Life" Guide
A resource guide designed to support creative aging in Indiana communities, this beautifully illustrated booklet celebrates the everyday artistry of older adults in Central Indiana and offers practical activities to inspire creativity, connection, and well-being in later life.
Request a guideResources Available
Request a Resource Guide
You can request a free copy of Everyday Arts in Later Life, a resource guide designed to support creative aging in Indiana communities. This beautifully illustrated booklet celebrates the everyday artistry of older adults in Central Indiana and offers practical activities to inspire creativity, connection, and well-being in later life.
Host a Community Workshop
Indiana Humanities invites libraries across Indiana to apply to host a Creative Aging Workshop inspired by the Everyday Arts in Later Life guide.
Discover the joy and benefits of creativity in later life! This workshop invites older adults to explore how everyday arts practices—such as quilting, woodcarving, crochet, music-making, gardening, cooking, collecting, and more—can enrich elder well-being.
Led by folklorist and creative-aging researcher Jon Kay, the session highlights how these creative pursuits help older adults resist what experts call the “three plagues of aging”: isolation, boredom, and helplessness. Through stories, examples, and practical tips, Kay demonstrates how engaging in “everyday arts” can strengthen social bonds and bring a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in later life.
Whether you want to adopt a new hobby, revive an old one, or maintain the creative practice you already have, this workshop offers both information and inspiration. You’ll learn strategies for identifying an art form that is right for you, and you’ll leave the workshop with a toolkit of activities designed to keep you socially active and creatively fulfilled.
Join us and discover how later life can be a time of meaningful growth, connection, and purpose! Each participant will receive a free copy of the book Everyday Arts in Later Life.
- Intended Audience: Older Adults (55+), civic leaders, caregivers, and eldercare professionals
- Workshop Length: 5 hours (Additional activities can be added)
- Ideal class size: 10 to 25
- Requirements: Projector and screen, tables and chairs.
- Cost: Free if booked through Indiana Humanities.
More Information
Additional resources to support creative aging programming.
Partners and Sponsors
- Traditional Arts Indiana
- Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation
- Indiana Arts Commission
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Indiana University
Questions?
Contact us:
Megan Telligman, Director of Programs | mtelligman@indianahumanities.org | 317.616.9409