1. Arts and Older People Programme
Image: Upper Springfield Development Trust ‘Engage in Art Age’ Launch October 2011
www.artscouncil-ni.org

2. Arts & Older People Strategy
• The Arts & Older People strategy was developed in
recognition of the priorities set out in the Arts Council of
Northern Ireland’s five year strategy, ‘Creative
Connections’ for the period from 2007-2012.
• Theme 3: Growing Audiences and Increasing
Participation
• Arts & Older People Strategy
completed in June 2010
Image: Carew II A & OP Programme
www.artscouncil-ni.org

3. Arts & Older People Programme
• Aims to increase participation for older people in the arts
and tackle social justice issues facing older people on a
day-to-day basis
• 3-year programme jointly funded by the Arts Council and
The Atlantic Philanthropies
• £700,000 committed to the
programme
Image: ‘Give & Take', Golden Thread Gallery
www.artscouncil-ni.org

4. AOP Strategic Aims
•Isolation and Loneliness
•Social Inclusion
•Poverty
•Health Issues/Dementia
•Strengthening and developing the Voice of Older People
Images: Detail from Artwork Upper Springfield Development Trust
Engage In Art Age Project and Object from Golden Thread Gallery’s
‘Give and Take’ Feasibility Study.
www.artscouncil-ni.org

5. AOP Programme to Date
Steering Group
Nine organisations represented including Age NI,
Engage With Age, the Rural Community Network and
the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Total Funding Allocated: £374,608
• 32 Organisations
•16 Community and 16 Arts
Images: Monday Club, Cookstown ‘Pieces of My Past Project.
www.artscouncil-ni.org

6. AOP Programme Communication Plan
Communication Steering Group
•Age NI, Rural Community Network
and Age Sector Platform.
•Communication plan includes
production of two printed newsletters
2011/1012
AOP Ambassadors
•Olivia Nash, MBE
•Gerry Anderson
•Baroness May Blood
•Myra Vennard
Images: Carn Media Project Launch Artist Stevie Noonan and Gerry
Anderson. Olivia Nash, MBE at Spring Chicken’s Flash-mob
Castle court, Belfast.
www.artscouncil-ni.org

7. Programme Development 2011-13
•Professional Development Training for artists
•Dementia Awareness Training
•Dance Exchange Professional Development
•Exchange of practice on the arts contemporary ageing
• Bealtaine ‘Creating A New Old’ Conference
•ACNI Celebration of Age Event
Images: An Munia Tober ‘Traveller Reflections Project’
Golden Thread Gallery’s ‘Give and Take’ Feasibility Study.
www.artscouncil-ni.org

8. AOP Programme Evaluation
External Evaluation
•Wallace Consultancy supported by the
Evaluation Steering Group.
•Base-line and Monitoring Report
conducted to date.
•Interim Report completed in March 2012
Images: Golden Thread Gallery ‘Give and Take’ Feasibility Study.
Upper Springfield Development Trust Engage in Art Age Launch
October 2011
www.artscouncil-ni.org

9. A & OP Programme Interim Evaluation
Image: Carew II A & O P Project
• It is considered that initial projects funded under the AOP
have successfully demonstrated that they meet the
strategic themes of the programme.
• Going into the final round of the AOP, action needs to be
undertaken in order to embed the AOP social justice
themes as core elements of the projects.
www.artscouncil-ni.org