Art and Dementia Program

Diagnosis of people with dementia is rapidly becoming one of the most chronic issues of our time.  With a quarter of a million sufferers already spread around Australia, this figure is expected to rise to well over half a million people by 2030 (Access Economics 2011).  There is no cure as yet for this disease with mounting pressure building daily on our health and aged care sectors, the general community and personal carers at large.  Therefore it’s timely for us in our local area to consider more creative ways of providing opportunities for people living with dementia, along with their carers a place for social and emotional inclusion in the places and spaces we all share.

Maitland Regional Art Gallery (MRAG) has recognised this need within the local community and has instigated an arts tour program aimed specifically for people with dementia.  Participating in art tours offers those people living with dementia a voice of re-engagement as well as a place, along with their carers to socialise and network. As the arts operate on an emotional level, the viewer does not have to have to rely on memory to enjoy them; which in turn, can provide new links between sufferers, their caregivers and families something which is often sadly robbed by the disease.

MRAG believes that art galleries should offer places and spaces of engagement and inclusion for all no matter who we are and whatever stage of life we are in. The Art and Dementia tours are offered free each Tuesday  and Thursday mornings during the MRAG term,  delivered by a trained arts and dementia facilitator, complimenting an already rich program of exhibitions and events.

Dementia is non-discriminate and affects many families, our neighbours, our friends; the MRAG Art and Dementia program has been made available for free due to the generous donation of funds from community members and fundraising efforts in recognition that these programs need to be part of the fabric of our community.

Please call or email the art gallery (MRAG) on Phone 02 4934 9859 or artgallery@nullmaitland.nsw.gov.au for more details.