Santa Fe, NM – New Mexico Arts, the state's federally authorized arts agency and a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, recently secured new funding from a national grant program to advance creative aging programs for older adults throughout New Mexico.
The Creative Aging, Creative Futures program, a joint initiative of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and E.A. Michelson Philanthropy, builds upon the remarkable success of two previous initiatives, "Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging" and "States Leading Creative Aging." These vital investments have strengthened creative aging leadership for state arts agencies, significantly expanded arts opportunities for older adults, further integrated the arts into state aging services, and enhanced expertise in creative aging program delivery.
New Mexico Arts secured $77,500 for the Creative Aging Partnerships Project (CAPP), an initiative designed to expand high quality arts learning opportunities for New Mexico's rapidly growing population of people 60 years and older.
"We are grateful to NASAA for the opportunity to offer funding support to organizations in New Mexico who want to build resources and programs to serve this important segment of our communities," said Michelle Laflamme-Childs, Executive Director of New Mexico Arts.
Drawing on national best practices, CAPP will build a sustainable creative aging infrastructure in New Mexico by training teaching artists, strengthening organizational capacity, and fostering cross sector collaboration. Over 24 months, CAPP will convene eight demonstration site organizations across urban and rural communities and offer a wide range of professional development opportunities and resources to guide future creative aging work.
New Mexico Arts is one of 28 state arts agencies receiving awards from NASAA. With this funding, state arts agencies will expand access to high-quality, sequential arts learning opportunities for older adults by reducing barriers to participation.
For information about new creative aging activities taking place in New Mexico, contact Kevin Lenkner at
