Creative Aging

Creative Aging Residencies

Let the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts bring the arts to your Facility. Please note that currently due to COVID-19 all Creative Aging programs will be provided via digital platforms such as Zoom or through distance learning programs (learn more about virtual community engagement). MCA has a talented and experienced team of inspiring teaching artists who can bring dance, music, theatre or visual art to you.  We have worked with activity directors, and residents to develop expressive visual arts classes, drum circles, and movement classes to nursing homes and senior center facilities throughout Southeastern Minnesota. Our creative aging programs are designed to improve the health, well-being, provide a renewed sense of purpose for older adults.

Want to take a little field trip? Participants will never forget a workshop at MCA’s home, the state-of-the-art Valencia Arts Center. Residencies can range from a one day workshop to a weekly meeting that concludes with a cumulative project. (currently residencies at MCA are not happening due to COVID-19)

Not located in Winona? No worries, thanks to technology we have a variety of ways to bring the arts to your facility to help your residents and or community connect and engage in meaningful arts activities. Since March 2020 MCA has been providing successful online arts opportunities in collaboration with groups including Elder Network, Home & Community Options, Saint Mary’s University Alumni Association and the Winona Friendship Center.

If you would like to learn more about an MCA’s Creative Aging programs, please contact Jamie at:  507-453-550 or mca@smumn.edu.

Read about a few of our creative aging programs:

Art Gallery

Throughout the academic year different schools and organizations display works of their student artists. Galleria Valencia is open during the center’s office hours and while classes are in session. Stop by and enjoy the featured talents of local youth artists.

We still have gallery space open for this year.  If you are an art teacher and would like to see your school’s artwork featured at MCA please contact Megan at: 507-453-5500 or mca@smumn.edu for details.  View the current Galleria Valencia Schedule.

Live Performances

Each year MCA offers a variety of live performances including Dance Concerts, Music Division and Jazz Combos Concerts, Theatrical performances and more. Many of these performances are free and open to the public.  When possible we also bring dancers and musicians to facilities in which residents find travel difficult. In recent years our Irish dancers and a variety of musicians have performed at local nursing homes. Other performances, including our annual Spring Dance Concert and biennial production of classic ballet, The Nutcracker,  hold special abridged daytime matinees at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s Page Theatre, designed for groups of audience members and are offered at the discounted rate of only $5 per performance. For information about matinee performances please visit the Page Theatre.