LeadingAge members serve older adults who want to live meaningful lives on their own terms. For many older adults, art is a passion, and for providers, art therapy is a valuable tool to help residents and clients, including those living with cognitive issues, live their best lives. To that end, two LeadingAge art initiatives honor the people our members serve.

The LeadingAge Heritage Art Collection, installed in the LeadingAge headquarters building when it opened in Washington, DC, displays the creativity of dozens of older adult artists from LeadingAge member communities. LeadingAge conducted a national search for resident artwork, and with the support of the Hebrew Home of Riverdale, selected 230 pieces of resident art. The original gifted collection was featured for 17 years and inspired hundreds of visitors every year. In 2018, LeadingAge donated the Heritage collection to nonprofit affordable senior housing residents in the Bay Area, where the donated pieces bring joy to a new generation of older adults every day. Enjoy the collection here.

The Passions Project was created by photographer Heidi Wagner, highlighting the energy, creativity, and joy of older adults doing what they love most. Inspired by our vision–An America Freed From Ageism–LeadingAge joined the project. Our Passions Project display, exhibited throughout the LeadingAge building, features residents of LeadingAge member communities who create and get the most out of life every day, regardless of age or ability. See the whole Passions Project collection here.