On May 24 at 8 p.m., The Creative Power of Aging, a film produced by Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) and the Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN), will premier on TPT’s Channel 17. The film will feature artists from Ebenezer.

Ebenezer’s commitment to the arts 
Ebenezer has long had a commitment to creative arts programming for its seniors. The Minnesota Health and Housing Alliance (MHHA) recognized Ebenezer for excellence and innovation. In 2000 Ebenezer’s Horticulture Therapy program received MHHA’s “Most Innovative Program of the Year” Award. In 2007 the Ebenezer Loren Studio and Fine Arts program received MHHA”s “Excellence in Practice” Award.

Adopting Life Long Learning as an organizational initiative in 2007, Ebenezer made the commitment to bring creative arts and other learning opportunities to residents on all of its campuses, regardless of income and health challenges. Working with MnCAAN and other educators, Ebenezer has expanded programming on its various campuses to include creative writing, poetry, ceramics, dance and other endeavors.

About the film
The Creative Power of Aging is a half hour long documentary that tells the story of creative arts programming for seniors in Minnesota. Two Ebenezer programs are featured: Ebenezer’s Loren Studio and Fine Arts program and Ebenezer’s Creative Writing class. The film was produced as a companion piece to the film Do Not Go Gently.  Narrated by Walter Cronkite and produced in conjunction with American Public Television, Do Not Go Gently also examines the role creativity has on the process of aging.    

In addition to the May 24 airing, MnCAAN and the Vital Aging Network (VAN) are co-sponsoring a statewide campaign over the coming year to bring the film to Minnesota seniors, their families, providers and funders. The theme of the campaign is Creativity Matters for Older Minnesotans. The first event will be held on May 15 at the Bloomington Center for the Arts from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This event is open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Call 763-560-5199 for details. Ebenezer will also host a Creativity Matters for Older Minnesotans event this summer at Ebenezer at Fairview Red Wing, our newest senior living community. Dates and times are yet to be determined.

For additional information about how you can support the arts at Ebenezer, call our Foundation at 612-879-1415.