Art Centres Supporting our Elders: A good news story (NARI) – Films

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This story invites the audience to listen to Elders, artists and staff from three Aboriginal community controlled art centres as they share the vital role they play in keeping their Elders strong and connected. Elders are the backbone of these centres and play a critical role in maintaining intergenerational connection.

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Art Centres Supporting our Elders: A good news story

Art Centres – Supporting our Elders is a study exploring the ways in which three Aboriginal community controlled art centres are supporting older people and those living with dementia in remote communities. The centres are:

Ikuntji Artists located in Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency in Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia
Tjanpi Desert Weavers – NPY Women’s Council located in the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Lands of Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
We have learnt that art centres are critical to their communities. They are valued by older and younger people, as well as arts and aged care workers. They are often described as safe places that facilitate social connection, cultural maintenance and the transfer of knowledge and culture to younger generations within their communities.

We have also learnt that the centres provide:

Advocacy
Social, emotional and physical care
A valuable source of income for artists and their families.
Importantly, the study highlights that Elders are the backbone of these centres and play a critical role in maintaining intergenerational connection.

Many art centres are already working with their local aged care providers and our partners have been considering ways these collaborations could be enhanced to sustain the wellbeing of Elders and younger generations alike.

We have developed several short films to share the story of how the art centres support their Elders. These resources showcase the importance of centralising the cultural determinants of health. They highlight the benefits for older and younger people, as well as for staff, when aged care providers and art centres collaborate.

This project was funded by the Australian Government Department of Health. NARI conducted the research in collaboration with Ikuntji Artists, Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency, Tjanpi Desert Weavers – NPY Women’s Council, Flinders University, The University of Western Australia, Tjungu Aged and Disability Team – NPY Women’s Council and Kimberley Aged Care Services.

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NARI (National Ageing Research Institute)