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A £1 million Arts and older people in care programme, jointly funded by the Arts Council and The Baring Foundation has launched yesterday. 

The three-year programme aims to provide access to quality arts experiences for older people in residential care, as both participants and audiences. It will be implemented by partnerships or consortia led by residential care providers or arts organisations, and it is envisaged that around four proposals will be funded.

This programme aims to support the Arts Council in delivering our ambitions within goal two ‘more people experience and are inspired by the arts’ of our 10-year strategic framework Achieving great art for everyone.

Arts engagement in those aged 75 and over

Research from the Taking Part in the Arts survey has shown that people aged 75 and over have significantly lower arts engagement rates than the other age groups. There are over 400,000 people currently in residential care homes in the UK, and this group is often excluded from the opportunities that arts engagement can bring, but the arts can make a real contribution to the lives of the elderly living in residential care.

Joan Mcleod participated in arts activities with Equal Arts, a charity that deliver arts and older people’s projects, funded through the Baring Foundation. Speaking about the impact this had on her life, she said: ‘Equal Arts has taught me so much. The group makes me feel welcome and this gives me confidence in myself.’

Peter Bazalgette, Chair, Arts Council England, said: ‘The arts are a demonstrable source of health and happiness, no matter what age we are. So if our mission is ‘great art for everyone’, it’s absolutely right that we ensure elderly people have the same opportunities as everyone else to experience what the arts have to offer.’

The Baring Foundation

The Baring Foundation was set up in 1969 to give money to charities and voluntary organisations pursuing charitable purposes. It aims to improve the quality of life of people suffering disadvantage and discrimination by making grants available to strengthen voluntary sector organisations which serve them directly or indirectly. 

Since 2010 The Baring Foundation has focussed on the unique role that the arts can play in the lives of older people, especially through their direct participation in creating and presenting artistic work. 

David Cutler, Director, The Baring Foundation, said: ‘Our previous funding has shown us that the arts can change the lives of residents as well as their families and care staff. This new fund will offer the opportunity to extend and deepen this in a truly significant way.’

For further information about the funding or to apply, please visit the Arts and older people in care programme pages.