Resources & Reports
AUSTRALIA
An arts guide to philanthropic gifts and tax
Australia Council developed this guide containing tax and legal information about philanthropic fundraising to assist not-for-profit cultural organisations and individual artists.
Raw Law Project (Downloadable consent form)
Arts Access Victoria in partnership with the Arts Law Centre of Australia, is developing legal information for the arts-disability sector.
USA
Alzheimer's Association Resource Lists
A list of practical resources, academic articles and research, including a report on the impact of music therapy in Alzheimer's Disease.
Creativity and Aging: Best Practices (National Endowment for the Arts)
National Endowment for the Arts publication of model creative projects having an impact on dementia, quality of life and physical health of older Americans.
The Creativity and Aging Study (National Endowment for the Arts)
Landmark creativity and aging study measuring the impact of professionally conducted community based cultural programs on general health, mental health and social activities of people over 65 years. The results demonstrate true health promotion and disease prevention effects. The study also demonstrated that community based cultural programs for older adults appear to reduce risk factors driving the need for long-term care.
Dance and older people
Older participants in dance activities have a significant and positive improvement in physical health linked to decreased falls and increased bone density. Dance activities have been demonstrated to improve emotional wellbeing. One study compared dance to other forms of physical exercise and found dance was the only physical activity associated with a lower risk of dementia.
University of California San Francisco’s Center for Memory and Aging
Dr. Bruce Miller, the Centre’s Director, has become renowned for work in the field of art and dementia. The center’s research findings include instances of dementia unlocking new creative abilities and creativity being used as an effective tool to increase communication between patients and family members.
United Kingdom
Re-Presenting Disability: Activism and agency in the Museum
Addresses issues surrounding disability representation in museums and galleries.
Action for Access: a practical resource for arts organisations
Arts Council England resource pack for arts organisations to make their activities accessible to audiences with a disability.
Communication and the Care of People with Dementia (England) Dementia Positive
Extensive work using creativity to communicate with people with dementia and carers. Other publications also listed on the site include The Arts and Dementia Care a Resource Guide (for the USA Center for Creative Aging).
Lifelong Learning, the Arts and Older People
Scottish Arts Council research into the arts and older people (defined as over 50) found that participation in the arts led to a growth in personal confidence, community interaction and economic opportunities. The benefits to older people with particular health issues like dementia or stroke are substantial and the arts are very often the ‘key’ to unlocking memory, arresting depression and anxiety, improving communication between individuals and having fun.
Making Creativity Intrinsic to Care (Ireland)
Participation in Music, Dance and Visual Art is linked to improved wellbeing. In particular this program trained staff working with older people in care and improved the staff members awareness of residents needs.
Museums Libraries and Archives Disability Portfolio
A collection of 12 guides on access to museums, archives and libraries.
MLA's Web Accessibility Report
An audit of the accessibility of 300 museum, library and archive websites in the UK.
Music and Dementia
An Arts Council of England research report reviewing the medical literature in arts and healthcare included specific studies into music (both listening and creating) and dementia. These studies found that music activities could increase patients social functioning, decrease stress, increase willingness to participate in routine activities, stimulate long term memory and improve relationships between staff and patients.
