MnCAAN was founded in 2003 by a group of volunteers who wished to foster increased opportunities for creative expression within the rapidly growing aging population of Minnesota. We are affiliated with the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA)(www.creativeaging.org) and the Vital Aging Network (VAN)(www.vital-aging-network.org). MnCAAN is led by a Board of Directors inspired and energized, in part, by Gene D. Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., (www.gwumc.edu/cahh/ about/cohen.htm) whose landmark study has focused on the positive effects the arts have on wellness in older adults.

Our timeline of accomplishments includes:

• 2003-2004 - participated in the NCCA's 18-month campaign, The Art of Aging: Creativity Matters, that has drawn attention nationally to the importance of older adults participating in the arts and showcasing their creations.

• 2004 - surveyed, in collaboration with the Minnesota State Arts Board, arts organizations statewide, of which more than 60 expressed interests in participating in the activities of MnCAAN.

• January 2005 - formally launched MnCAAN in a day-long Creativity, Arts and Aging: A Town Hall Meeting and Celebration at the Bloomington Center for the Arts.

• 2005-2009 - participated in arts and aging presentations at the annual joint conference of the American Society on Aging and the National Council on Aging, and at several statewide events.

• Fall 2005 - sponsored an Art of Aging project with the NCCA in which older adults in four Twin Cities locations created large quilt-like panels of their artwork -- one of which was selected for display at the 2005 White House Conference on Aging. All of the panels were shown at several state and local events. In 2006, four greater Minnesota locations also produced Art of Aging panels.

• December 2005 - participated in the culmination of The Art of Aging: Creativity Matters campaign with displays and policy proposals at the White House Conference on Aging.

• 2006 - produced Minnesota Creativity and Aging Get-Together, a second statewide conference featuring a presentation by Gene Cohen, M.D., PhD., (www.gwumc.edu/cahh/about/cohen.htm) founding director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington Medical Center and leading researcher on creativity and aging. The conference was preceded by an evening of performance art, tours and a book signing of Creative Aging by Dr. Cohen at the Walker Art Center.

• March 2006 - sponsored a second conference in conjunction with Walker Art Center, featuring Dr. Gene Cohen as keynote speaker and more than a dozen model programs from around the state. 

• March 2007 - obtained certification as a non-profit organization.

• September 2007 - sponsored a Southeastern Minnesota regional conference in Red Wing. Susan Perlstein came as keynote speaker and also gave a talk to MnCAAN supporters in the Twin Cities.

• October 2007 - hosted a training and demonstration session for artists and senior-serving professionals by Judith Kate-Friedman, founder and director of Songwriting Works, a program for involving older adults in writing and performing their own songs.

• October 2007 - created this website to provide a virtual meeting place for exchanging ideas, information, and support for all Minnesotans interested in arts and aging.

• Spring 2008 - co-produced The Creative Power of Aging with Twin Cities Public Television  and launched a statewide campaign: Creativity Matters for Older Minnesotans.

• September 2008 - received 501(c)3 status from the IRS.

• Fall 2008 - began campaign development around the state. Organized kickoff events in nine Minnesota communities by January 2009.

• Spring 2009 - co-sponsored "Making Music a Lifelong Experience," a celebration of creativity and aging and training event, with MacPhail Center for Music.

• October 2009 - sponsored Acting for Life: A Senior Theatre Workshop and Conference, featuring keynote speaker, Bonnie Vorenberg, director of the Senior Theatre Resource Center, showcasing samples of senior theatre programs, and including workshops by local theatre artists. Also gave a MnCAAN Lifetime Achievement Award to Alan Lottsberg, founder and director of Fogey Follies.

• November 2009 - presented a half-day Creative Aging Institute for the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts at their annual conference in Minneapolis.

• January 2010 - began an 18-month Art of Aging project, collaborating with MELSA and COMPAS to bring artist residencies into 23 senior housing sites in the Metro area and providing internship for artists.

• January 2010 - organized a creative collage of activities and performances featuring older artists for the Gianna Homes' Butterfly Ball.

• February 2010 - initiated Creative Aging Around Town meetings for mutual learning and networking by MnCAAN members, held the First Wednesday in alternate months.

• June-August 2010 - organized the Art of Aging exhibit by older artists held at the Cargill Hall gallery at the downtown Minneapolis library and a series of four related public presentations by visual, literary, and performing artists.

• January 2011 - initiated pilot multi-artist residency projects at Redeemer Health and Rehab Center and Episcopal Homes.