OTF Grant to Help H’art Pilot a New Intergenerational Arts Mixer
On Sunday, the Ontario Trillium Foundation gave audience members at the finale performance of H’art Centre’s The Wishing Tree something to sing about when it was announced a weekend intergenerational arts mixer would be added to the Centre’s efforts to engage seniors who live in long-term care homes in the arts. Local MPP Ian Arthur was on hand to congratulate the Centre’s members and hear a bit about how the program will make a difference.
MPP Ian Arthur presents the Ontario Trillium Foundation plaque to H’art’s Board President, Kathy Burke.
“While the arts can often be overlooked, it is an important part of who we are as Kingstonians, Ontarians, and Canadians,” said Ian Arthur, MPP for Kingston and the Islands. “It is wonderful to see H’art Centre continue to emphasize the holistic and healing effects the arts can have on both the individual and our community.”
Since 2015, H’art Centre has been initiating ways to involve seniors with disabilities in the arts. Most notably, the H’art Accessible Arts Program has been used by a variety of long-term care homes in Kingston to engage professional artists who can keep their residents active and engaged through the song, dance, storytelling, painting, and more. More than 300 seniors have been impacted by the effort. And thanks to the $18,600 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, friends and family members will be able to take part in meaningful arts experiences on weekends beginning in 2019.
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be underestimated,” said Katherine Porter, Executive Director of H’art Centre. “It is clear meaningful art programs and intergenerational connections can positively impact mood, health, and happiness. And because of the OTF, we can add this new experience designed encourage friends and family to join in the fun.”
For 20 years, H’art has been providing people with disabilities with opportunities to study, practice, create, and produce works of art.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded more than $120 million to some 700 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.
