55+ & Senior Living Communities

COMPAS provides art classes, events, and performances for older adults living in a variety of settings from active, independent 55+ communities, to assisted living and memory care programs around the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro and greater Minnesota.

HomeWho We Serve55+ & Senior Living Communities
A group in a drum circle showing two participants working together with smiles.
Mike Arturi drum circle workshop at Cassia Open Circle Adult Day Program, Image: Jessica Schelitzche

Let’s Elevate Your Community Through Artful Aging™ Experiences

Inspire your community with lifestyle-enhancing creativity. COMPAS offers tailored, award-winning experiences for older adults or seniors, inspiring and rejuvenating residents of all backgrounds. Art for seniors improves quality of life, combats social isolation, and brings groups and communities together. Our teaching artists can assist older adults in exploring their thoughts and emotions in a creative way.

Explore our expertise with dedicated teaching artists who lead engaging programs in various arts disciplines, from songwriting to creative movement. 

We bring our programs directly to you, eliminating transportation barriers and offering intergenerational connections. Let’s discuss how COMPAS can inspire your community. Contact us to start a conversation or book now.

Art Programming Opportunities COMPAS Offers for Senior Living and 55+ Communities

Artful Aging™ Residencies

Three people work on a mural that is set up on a table.
Teresa Cox Mural Residency at Ecumen Point Pleasant in Chisago, MN

Artists with additional training in teaching older adults work alongside participants, guiding them to learn new creative skills and create their own visual art, writing, music, dance, or theater pieces. Programs start with an artist meet & greet. A community celebration (an event to highlight and demonstrate the participants’ accomplishments) caps off each residency. Artful Aging™ residencies can be structured as a camp or a series of classes to meet the needs of your site and the people you work with.

  • Artful Aging™ residencies include 1 meet and greet session to gather participant information and build excitement, and then 8 or more sessions with the artist, each lasting 90 minutes to 2 hours. Classes are typically held once a week, but can be customized to your unique environment.

We encourage organizations new to the joys and benefits of Artful Aging™ programming to host one or two. Planning sessions before an artist’s first session with participants begins. This will ensure that staff, volunteers, and participants get the most from their time with the artist and help your organization grow its creative capacity.

Three women smiling at the camera holding jewelry artwork they made.
Amy Wilderson Tree of Life Workshop at SEWA_AIFW, Image: Laeti Photography

Artful Aging™ Samplers

Artist Samplers are workshops that bring one of our certified Artful Aging™ artists to your site for a 2-hour session featuring projects designed to be completed within this timeframe. Samplers are offered as both single and multiple sessions. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore the COMPAS Artful Aging™ program and discover which project or artist suits your community’s needs best.

Performances in 55+ Active Independent Living Communities or Older Adult Settings

COMPAS Artist performances can be for small or larger groups. They can accompany a meal or event, or just be standalone. They are great for busy days in your community and/or for enlivening a quiet day.

Take Your Next Step

© Ragamala Dance Subscribe Creative ideas, stories, and news from artists and students across Minnesota, right in your inbox! © Sarina Partridge Subscribe Creative ideas, stories, and news from artists and students across Minnesota, right in your inbox! Subscribe Creative ideas, stories, and news from artists and students across Minnesota, right in your inbox! Subscribe Creative ideas, stories, and news from artists and students across Minnesota, right in your inbox! Sarina Partridge A woman in traditional Spanish dance dress.
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COMPAS is an arts education nonprofit that puts creativity in the hands of Minnesotans, regardless of their age, background, or skills. Based in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro area, COMPAS teaching artists deliver creative experiences and arts programming across Minnesota.

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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.