Artists for Alzheimer’s™ (ARTZ) is a 501(c) (3) initiative of the Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Foundation, founded in 2001, with the purpose of enhancing the cultural and creative life of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. ARTZ draws on the support and collaboration of artists and cultural institutions, as a collective resource, to share, educate and inspire. The ARTZ mission is: “To enrich the cultural life of people living with Alzheimer’s disease, enable them to express their inner-selves, and lessen the stigma that often accompanies a diagnosis.” ARTZ has developed Alzheimer’s-specific cultural access programs with some of the worlds most renowned and respected cultural institutions, which include: the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Kohler Arts Center in Wisconsin, and the Tribeca Film Institute, among many others. ARTZ was born in Boston, heavily influenced by the theories and research of sociologist and author, John Zeisel, Ph.D. The program has grown rapidly over the last five years, enabling thousands of people living with Alzheimer’s disease to have greater access to cultural opportunities and artistic experiences. Thanks to the Alzheimer’s-friendly tools and professional training we have developed, cultural institutions, for the first time, have the opportunity to provide research-based, Alzheimer’s-specific programs for their membership and the general public. ARTZ has organized and promoted over 200 community events, encompassing more than 2,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.
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| ARTZ is comprised of three innovative programs: | |
The Artists Network |
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| ARTZ recruits and trains volunteer artists to perform and work side by side with people living with Alzheimer’s. This hands-on program brings artists of all kinds, such as painters, singers, actors, comedians, and dancers, into small group contact with people living with Alzheimer’s, enabling strong emotional connections to take place. The ARTZ Artist Network also organizes events that highlight participants’ accomplishments, such as exhibitions and public recognition projects. | |
| The Museums Partnership Program | |
| ARTZ trains museum staff and implements educational museum tours for people living with Alzheimer’s. Through research and direct observation, ARTZ has already established that art experiences can significantly reduce certain psycho-behavioral symptoms often associated with dementia—anxiety, aggression, agitation and apathy. The art experience also contributes to maintaining cognitive functioning, optimizing remaining capacities and utilizing areas of the brain that, without any effective form of artistic/emotional stimulation, have often gone unused for years. |
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Cultural Events Program |
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ARTZ develops annually recurring community-based programs for people living with Alzheimer’s, which have lead to increased accessibility and opportunity. Some of the events were created in partnership with cultural institutions such as: A Walk Down Memory Lane (Tribeca Film Institute), Alzheimer’s Poetry Day (Bowery Poetry Club and the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project), and Vaudeville Caravan (Big Apple Circus). |
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YOU
CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! |
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We are seeking artists to volunteer their special talents to make a difference in the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease. Are you a musician? Do you have a co-worker with a gift for playing the violin? A fellow student who is a professional dancer? How about that neighbor who teaches art history at the university? These are the people we are looking for to enhance the cultural life of people with Alzheimer's disease. Volunteers can be any kind of artist: vocalists, musicians, painters, storytellers, writers, actors, professors, photographers, chefs ---both professionals and amateurs are welcome! Each participant's creativity represents untapped energy and opportunities for caring, empathy, and personal growth. Creativity engenders generosity. Your participation in this worthwhile endeavor will inspire not only others, but yourself as well. We are asking each volunteer to contribute one hour or one visit this year. If you or someone you know is interested in making a commitment to people with Alzheimer's disease, please contact us by clicking the "Get Involved" button above so that we may include you in our annual calendar of coming attractions. |
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ARTZ Main Office John Zeisel , Ph.D., ARTZ Co-founder, President Hearthstone Alzheimer’s Foundation, Inc. Main Contact: Sean Caulfield
International Chapters: ARTZ France , Paris ARTZ Germany, Stuttgart ARTZ Australia, Melbourne
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Official ARTZ Partner: CLICK HERE to read about the ARTZ/Big Apple Circus Program |
Artists for Alzheimer's is an initiative of the Hearthstone Family Foundation. To learn more about the Foundation, click here |
