Creative Aging
Creative aging and lifelong learning opportunities have significant benefits for older adults, helping to improve well-being and enhance social connection.
Nutrition and Wellness Opportunities
To learn more about Nutrition Programs, please contact our nutrition staff at 802-476-2644.
Creative Aging Programming
Our Creative Aging Program connects individuals across Central Vermont by providing free, accessible creative opportunities that foster social connection for older Central Vermonters and caregivers. The program includes Creative Care Kits which are specifically designed for homebound individuals with various levels of mobility and prior art experience and Creative Aging Meet-Ups designed to bring people together to create.
Creative Aging Meet-Ups
Our creative aging meet-up groups are designed to bring people together through shared creative expression. These groups are for anyone age 60 or older - or volunteers of any age who would like to support older adults.
No experience is necessary!
If you are looking for a relaxed, social environment to make art, connect with others, and find creative inspiration – then these are the right groups for you.
Current Groups:
Waterbury Area Senior Center, Fourth Wednesday
Chelsea Senior Center, Fourth Friday
Twin Valley Senior Center, First Monday
Strafford Senior Center, Third Wednesday
Barre Area Senior Center, Second Thursday
For more information call our main office number at (802) 479-0531. For session dates see our calendar.
Creative Care Kits
Since 2020, CVCOA has distributed Creative Care Kits to adults 60+ and volunteers of any age enrolled in the Creative Aging Program. Participants may choose one of five kits: drawing and illustration, watercolor, poetry, digital drawing, or crafting and collage. Each kit includes high-quality materials and a resource binder with activities developed by professional teaching artists for older adults. Designed to provide 6–9 months of engagement, the kits combine skill-building and socially focused activities that encourage creativity and connection. Many projects are intentionally interactive, including postcard writing, gift making, and other opportunities for meaningful exchange. The program also offers a small library of recorded art-making sessions, including workshops led by teaching artists.
If you are age 60+ and interested in receiving a Creative Care Kit or volunteering as a Creative Companion, please contact the CVCOA Helpline at 1-802-477-1364 to learn more. If you are an organization with questions about offering this opportunity in your area, please contact Caitlin Roseen at (802) 595-6971 or [email protected].
To view art demos created by teaching artists to accompany the Creative Care Kits, visit our video showcase.
CVCOA partnered with the Vermont Arts Council to train professional teaching artists in creative aging best practices through Lifetime Arts. If you are looking to start an arts class or other opportunity in your community, please click here to visit the Creative Aging page on the Vermont Arts Council website for more information and contact information to find a professional teaching artist.
CVCOA is grateful to the Vermont Arts Council, Vermont Community Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts for generous grant funding to make these programs possible.
Creative Aging Resources
ABLE Library
Website
60 Washington St.
Suite 2
Barre, VT 05641
Toll-free
1 (800) 479-1711
1 (802) 636-0020
Audio, Braille, Large Print and Electronic Books. Offering a collection of large print and digital talking books featuring all genres, print braille picture books, as well as audio-described DVDs.
Maria’s Place
Website
Free engaging activities for older adults and caregivers. At Maria’s Place we believe that activity and life-long learning are cornerstones for a fulfilling life.
Movement for Parkinson’s
Dance class, includes caregivers. Email [email protected] for more infomation.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)
Find an OLLI program near you!The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a community of adult learners who enjoy year-round courses and events that are diverse, interesting, fun, and affordable. Programs and communities are available throughout Vermont.
River Arts
Website
74 River Street
Morrisville, VT 05661
1 (802) 888-1261
Community arts center in Morrisville, VT offering special opportunities for older adults, including intergenerational drop-in studio space and scholarships for people age 60+ to attend classes at a 50% discount.
The Creative Aging Resource
Website
VT
The Creative Aging Resource is a place to access and share resources that highlight the benefits of arts education for older adults.
This Chair Rocks
Website
VT
People are happiest at the beginnings and the ends of their lives. Only 2.5% of Americans over 65 live in nursing homes. Older people enjoy better mental health than the young or middle-aged. Dementia rates are falling, fast. So how come so many of us unthinkingly assume that depression, diapers, and dementia lie ahead? That the 20th century’s astonishing leap in life expectancy is a disaster-in-the making? Underlying all the hand-wringing is ageism: discrimination that sidelines and silences older people. Check out this book and website by Ashton Applewhite to learn more.
TimeSlips
TimeSlips Website
VT
Founded by MacArthur Fellow Anne Basting, TimeSlips is an international network of artists and caregivers committed to bringing joy to late life. As our bodies and minds change with age, people ask – “How can I connect with my mom? My clients? My neighbor?” TimeSlips says try imagination…
UCLA Arts & Healing - Hope Series
Access the Series and Past Videos Online
VT
Created in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, this free, online series supports the resilience of our global community through social emotional arts.
In accordance with our mission, with this series we aim to enhance the innate social-emotional benefits of the arts with supportive practices, such as non-judgmental language and reflection, for self-discovery, connection, and empowerment.
Vermont Arts Council
Creative Aging at VT Arts Council
136 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
1 (802) 828-3291
CVCOA and the Vermont Arts Council partnered in 2021-2022 to build capacity for creative aging around the state. Find more creative aging resources on their website and contact the Vermont Arts Council directly to find professional teaching artists who have been training in creative aging best practices.