Virtual Art Snacks – is a series of interactive creative workshops with professional artists for aged-care residents in rural Multi-Purpose Services.
Commencing in 2020 in responses to COVID 19 lockdowns. The three year project delivers weekly workshops online rain hail or shine and invites residents to learn new skills, meet new people and enjoy visual arts, music, movement/dance and storytelling. The program concluded late 2023 to March 2024 with in-person artist residencies at selected MPSs.
Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive highlighting that the workshops create social connections, foster wellbeing and are a fun and creative way to connect with residents in other rural settings across the health district.
For aged care providers
Online delivery of arts in aged care
About Virtual Art Snacks
Artist residency Blayney MPS
Aged care artist residencies
Artist residency Warren & Nyngan
The research element of Arts Snacks
Artist residency Oberon MPS
Artists facilitating Virtual Art Snacks
Aged care arts program
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
More about the background, planning and funding of the program
More below:
- Short videos about elements of the program including in-person artist residencies and artist Ro Burns talking about the virtually delivered program.
- Project news stories
- Contact details
PARTNERS
This project was funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund, delivered in partnership with Western NSW Local Health District.
PROJECT NEWS
ALWAYS a joy to share our arts & health work.
Thank you Lithgow City Council for inviting us to be a part of the Lithgow Health Expo, held as part of Seniors Week, Friday 6 March
Friday 6 March, 9am-3pm, Lithgow Workies
Meet our dog puppet STRAY! Project artist Cate McCarthy will talk about this amazing aged-care program whilst puppeteer Renata Commisso will guide the dog for a very hands-on meet and greet.
WATCH: Short film about the Stray pilot at Blayney MPS. Artists Cate McCarthy and Cath McNamara, working with Arts OutWest’s Kate Smith, designed a bespoke workshop blending puppetry, songwriting, movement and participatory storytelling for two pilot runs at the MPS at Blayney and Oberon.
FEEDBACK
I feel like this is just the beginning of a beautiful connection. I especially wanted to acknowledge all the AO’s [Activity Officers at the MPSs] for the incredible work you do day in, day out. I can hear in your voices the love and respect you have for the people in your care. I only see the tip of the iceberg effort you make to bring all those willing to the room for Art Snacks. I can only imagine the energy it must take to prepare for the sessions or each day in general, especially now. Thank you for being INCREDIBLE
This program benefits so many and the eventual potential for a national roll out is great and so needed, not just in MPS, but to help those at home with carers (or without a carer but living alone).
Everyone made a work, some were very connected lines, most overlapping. Jim* held his up and coyly said “It’s scribble” AO asked him if he enjoyed making it and he said yes.
One of the greatest elements of the Art Snacks program is its ability to connect communities that are geographically distant, (and initially in lockdown)and bring us all together under one creative roof. As a musician and music educator, it was such a pleasure to be able to share ideas, put the ideas into practice, and share music together. It is a rare program that reflects the need for community and creativity throughout the region.
We are all loving the three sessions a week and the Residents have been saying how much they have benefited from these.Please pass the great news onto our Performers with much appreciations from Oberon MPS. l will continue to fully support our Residents so they have a full experience of these great programs. The Residents have been enjoying meeting new peers and seeing other MPS in our area.
Everyone appeared quite bright and cheerful. The mood was positive. I don’t know if it was because lockdown is ending, or they have had a little break from the program, or they feel more comfortable with us artists. It just felt very familiar and safe and warm…
For the residents, working with an artist in person created a sense of purpose and challenge. Some residents talked about “getting better” after connecting, laughing and engaging in a workshop. One participant said, “…we can go ‘round the wards… maybe we’ll cheer them up so much, they’ll all get better!”
The beauty of combining contemporary dance methods with their personal stories helped participants see and experience value when their ordinary movements were adapted into dance. The method was relatable, and easily adopted as a way to preserve their own stories and the stories of others. “Our brains are really going!”, one resident commented.
Our aged-care residents have benefited greatly from the ArtsOutWest, Virtual Art Snacks program over the past twelve months. Each week the residents look forward to socializing with each other, people from other rural MPS communities and the professional artists in meaningful art activities that foster fun and connection.
On behalf of the Residents of Blayney MPS, thank you so much for the wonderful programmes that we have participated in. They have provided many special memories, many laughs and creative experiences. These opportunities were well timed due to the challenges and difficulties of covid, and they always made our residents feel happy. We will always treasure our virtual sessions and our Artists in Residents sessions. We enjoyed meeting all our clever and creative artists.
Virtual Art Snacks is a wonderful project and it has been a joy to have followed its progress. The tool kit is brilliant way of making it easy for people to continue to deliver the program and the many benefits it brings to residents and staff.