Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant

Artists will have a venue for performing, and opportunities to increase their knowledge and skill in front of an audience. Residents will be entertained which can get them thinking and can improve their health and their mood. Music is one of the last areas of the mind to breakdown so this is an area that can provide a positive experience after most other opportunities have not effect. The improvement is the residents caused by the entertainment makes life less stressful for the staff as well. Guests enjoy the entertainment too and their mood is lifted by seeing relatives and loved ones enjoying the music. At least 15 residents, guests and staff will attend each event and at least 80% will report they enjoy the activity and look forward to it.Staff will take attendance at each event. Artists will be asked to fill out two surveys, one at the start of the project and one at the end in which they rate their knowledge, sill level and comfort with the audience. Staff will assess elected residents measuring cognition, mood and overall health. Talking circles will be held from time to time after the performances to obtain immediate feedback from artists and any others who wish to participate.