An open letter to our community:
Dear Friend of the Frye,
As the Associate Director of Creative Aging Programs at the Frye Art Museum, I have witnessed the transformative power of art in the lives of older adults.
Since 2010, the Frye has designed dementia-friendly programs that foster creativity and community for people on the memory loss journey. These legacy programs invite participants to be present in the moment, explore creative self-expression, and share meaningful connections.
This year, census data revealed that for the first time, older adults now outnumber children in a majority of Washington counties.1 This historic population shift highlights a need for increased efforts to broaden our reach and expand the museum’s Creative Aging programs beyond those impacted by memory loss.
With this in mind—for the first time—we have introduced arts-based programs at the Frye for all older adults that spark creativity and promote healthy aging. Creative engagement is a powerful elixir! Research shows that it can help reduce social isolation and loneliness, lessen depression and anxiety, improve cognitive function, and promote holistic health in older adults at all stages of life.2 Art is the prescription we all need in our lives!
With your help, we can continue to expand these vital programs, ensuring that more adults can access the proven benefits of our Creative Aging offerings. And because these programs are offered at no cost to participants, your donation creates an immediate and lasting impact.
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have a robust matching challenge that will increase the impact of your gift. We are delighted that Andrew Shuman and Sara Dickerman, and an anonymous donor contributing through The Everyday Impact Fund, have pledged a combined $7,500 matching challenge through September 30.
I hope you’ll consider making a gift today to help us meet this challenge and reach our $25,000 goal.
With gratitude,
Lea Lovelace
Associate Director of Creative Aging Programs