The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced Thursday that 27 members of the Lifelong Arts 2023 Artist Training Cohort have applied for and received fellowship funding to support arts learning experiences for older adults in a Hoosier community.
Locally, Clare Longendyke of Fishers was one of the recipients.
The “Concert-goers Social Club” is a four-month program tailored for adults aged 55 and with an interest in classical, jazz, and world music and an excitement for exploring Indianapolis’ eclectic music scene. Led by Longendyke, the class will offer pre-concert sessions for enhancing each concert-going experience, attendance at diverse live music events, and the opportunity to develop and synthesize musical knowledge through written concert reviews while building lasting community connections. Each participant’s reflections will be compiled into a digital journal, providing a lasting keepsake of the musical journey in this welcoming and inclusive community.
Lifelong Arts Indiana, a partnership between the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Division of Aging and the Indiana Arts Commission, is a learning opportunity for artists and aging services providers to develop their skills in providing creative experiences for older adults. The program equips participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide impactful creative experiences for adults ages 65 and older and provides access to the funds to help make it happen.
The Lifelong Arts 2023 Artist Training Cohort are each receiving a fellowship of $3,500 that will support Indiana’s older adults. In 2023, the cohort took part in a three-day training course, facilitated by Lifetime Arts, in which cohort members learned and explored best practices and strategies for developing effective, sequential, arts learning experiences for older adults. Following the 2023 training, participants launched pilot programming for older adults in their communities. This fellowship funding will allow participants to deepen their work and solidify their practice in service to older adults.
The 27 fellowship recipients will hold their programming in Indiana communities between Jan. 2 and Dec. 30, 2025. Click here to read more about each of the fellowships.