Wayne County Public library has been awarded a $44,902.00 LSTA EZ Grant to be used for the Creative Aging Program. This grant is made possible by funding from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (IMLS grant number LS-253645-OLS-23).
The Creative Aging project is designed to expand library services and promote lifelong learning to persons ages 55 and up. Library Director Donna Phillips said, “The library chose the Creative Aging program because this arts education program honors older adults as creative and social learners and helps shift the narrative about growing older away from a negative view to one of optimism,
engagement in the community, and joy.” Anna Hinson, Programs Director for the Arts Council, said “We at the Arts Council of Wayne County truly believe that Art is for All! We are honored that the Wayne County Public Library chose us as a partner to bring high-quality arts programming to the [age] 55+ community!”
The library will use grant funds to provide training and coaching to teaching artists, librarians, and Arts Council staff. The training will be conducted by Lifetime Arts, a national arts service organization that offers a positive, modern, artistic, and social lens through which to serve, inspire, and engage a growing population of older adults.
The 2023-2024 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants include 48 awards for local library projects that advance excellence and promote equity through community engagement, equitable access, and responsive organizations in North Carolina’s libraries.
For more information about the Creative Aging Program, contact Donna Phillips, Library Director at (919) 735-1880.
