Switched on seniors are engAGEing Through ARTing
Published on 07 July 2020
An innovative Rockhampton Art Gallery program to help people of retirement age and beyond transition in to their post-employment life has gone digital.
engAGEing Through ARTing has now shifted to online platforms, including Rockhampton Art Gallery’s Facebook page, website and the Gallery’s own podcast channel, Behind the Art.
Very few facets of life have been unaffected by the COVID 19 pandemic and the Gallery’s program, engAGEing Through ARTing, is no exception.
The program began in 2019 with support from the Queensland Government through the Department of Communities Disability Services and Seniors. The aim is to deliver a range of activities tailored to seniors focusing on lifelong learning, social participation and valuing.
However, social distancing changed the way that people, particularly seniors, could engage with, and move about in the community. Many social and cultural institutions such as Rockhampton Art Gallery had to reconsider how social events and activities can be delivered in a COVID environment.
Rockhampton Regional Council Community Services Portfolio Spokesperson Cr Drew Wickerson said that engAGEing Through ARTing is a vital program that shows seniors how they can continue to be an active member of society, after retirement from the workforce.
“With this program going digital, it extends its reach far beyond those who were able to come in to the Gallery,” he said.
“Through the podcast channel Rockhampton Art Gallery packs programs and events that would have been held in person in to 30 minute interviews, conversations and explorations that take you 'behind the art."
“In these podcasts and videos on Facebook, engAGEing through ARTing can now reach further to community, and seniors can engage at their leisure,” Cr Wickerson said.
“COVID-19 is encouraging everyone to think creatively about how we stay connected, and this is particularly important with seniors. engAGEing through ARTing is full of great content that they can tune in to at a time that suits,” Cr Wickerson said
engAGEing Through ARTing can be accessed from anywhere. It is free to subscribe and receive the program and event updates.
Anyone interested in taking part on engAGEing Through ARTing should contact Rockhampton Art Gallery on Phone 4936 8248.
Helpful links
More info and to subscribe: www.rockhamptonartgallery.com.au/engAGEing
Podcasts: www.rockhamptonartgallery.com.au/BehindtheArt
Video on Facebook: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=279205129924197