This one-day symposium will explore the transformative potential of the arts in enhancing the lives of older adults, bringing together organizations, institutions, and individuals from the arts and care sectors.
Local and international speakers will share the latest in research, policy, and practice – from a hands-on workshop Creative Engagement Therapy (CET) to using photography in aged care, and learning about how technology, theatre, and the arts can engage children and older people with more humane patient-centred care. This event provides an opportunity for attendees to share their experiences, to learn from researchers, and to have conversations about how art and creativity can be used to transform the experience of ageing! Lunch is provided, and the event will end with optional informal networking at a local restaurant (own cost).
- Understand the value of the arts and design in ageing research, policy, and practice
- Develop practical and impactful strategies for deploying arts-based approaches in research and practice
- Engage in workshops, gaining hands-on experience
Hear from our speakers:
Professor Evonne Miller
QUT Design Lab
Queensland University of Technology
Professor Evonne Miller is Director of the QUT Design Lab at Queensland University of Technology, where her research is focused on redesigning healthcare and aged care systems for the future, using design and creative arts methods. She is convenor of the AAG Creativity, Art and Design (CAD) Special Interest Group.
Professor Persephone Sextou
Professor in Applied Theatre for Health and Wellbeing
Leeds School of Arts, Leeds Beckett University UK
Based in the United Kingdom, Prof Persephone Sextou is a leading expert in interdisciplinary applied theatre for health and wellbeing. Her most recent book - Applied Theatre in Paediatrics (Routledge, 2023), and her talk – “Patient Participation Engagement with arts-based research: Transcultural and transgenerational approaches” will outline her co-design and co-production research model, exploring how applied theatre is a powerful tool for wellbeing for children in hospitals and older people in care homes.
Dr Tricia King
Lecturer in Photography
University of Sunshine Coast
Tricia King is a researcher in creative arts health projects for wellbeing focusing on creative engagement with older people through photographic and creative practices. Utilising lens-based techniques such as photo voice, photo-elicitation, documentary and collaborative photography, Tricia’s work is in partnership with older people living in aged care and living with dementia.
Ruth Falconer
Art Therapist
Ballycara Aged Care
Art Therapist at Ballycara for 8 years, Ruth Falconer will share her unique approach to Creative Engagement Therapy via a taster workshop (restricted to 15 people) that will guide the group through a creative process that centres on self-exploration., providing a sample of how the process of creating connects you to your inner world.
Dr John Waldron
Blue Sky View
Dr John Waldron has over thirty years of experience in the museum sector as an art educator, curator, and manager. Previously chair of Museums Australia, Queensland, John is now Director of Blue Sky View providing content curation and museum consultation services. His doctoral research focused on how digital technologies provide authentic access to artists and creative programs that empower people.
Dr Leah Barclay
University of the Sunshine Coast
Leah Barclay is a sound artist, designer and researcher who works at the intersection of art, science and technology. Leah's research and creative work over the last decade has investigated innovative approaches to recording and disseminating the soundscapes of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems to inform conservation, scientific research and public engagement. Her work explores ways we can use creativity, new technologies and emerging science to reconnect communities to the environment and inspire climate action.
Professor Genevieve Dingle
Director of the Clinical Psychology Programs
University of Queensland
Professor Genevieve Dingle is the Director of the Clinical Psychology Programs at the University of QLD. She researches the health and social effects of choir singing with various populations including healthy older adults; adults with dementia and their caregivers; adults with mental health problems; and international students. Genevieve is an associate editor of Psychology of Music and she serves on the executive committees of the Australian Music & Psychology Society, the Arts Health Network QLD and is Chair of the Arts and Culture on Prescription panel of the Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education (ASPIRE).
Dr Hannah Banks
University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr Hannah Banks is a theatre practitioner and academic originally from Aotearoa New Zealand, who has worked in the Theatre industry as an actor, director, writer, and producer. Her research focuses on devised theatre, with a particular interest in gender and cultural representation, reclaiming lost voices and feminist dramaturgy.
Megan Williams
University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery
Megan Williams is a curator, writer and lecturer with over 15 years experience in leadership, programming and management roles across the university art museum sector. She has been the Manager and Curator of the UniSC Art Gallery since 2016.
Dr Erica Rose Jeffrey
Dance for Parkinson's
Erica Rose Jeffrey believes in the power of movement connected to positive social change. She has worked internationally as a performer, choreographer, educator, arts leader and facilitator, with her PhD investigating the connections of dance, empathy and peace. She is currently the Director for Dance for Parkinson’s Australia, which provides community based dance classes for people living with Parkinson's Disease, their carers and family members as well as training, professional development and advocacy around arts, health and wellbeing.
Dr Kelli Dendle
University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr Kelli Dendle is an occupational therapist, with her research focussing on the lived experience of ageing in diverse Australian residential contexts. Her aim is to improve wellbeing outcomes for people, and the built and natural environments we coexist with.
Mira Chorik
Mira is an artist and community facilitator of meaningful conversations. Using archival objects, photography, projection and music, she creates participatory spaces that honour loss and the practice of remembrance as a life-affirming endeavour. She is also an award-winning songwriter whose melancholy folk creates intimate and quiet spaces for reflection.
Chris Seiboth
Executive Lead for Community Services
Lutheran Services
Chris Seiboth is the Executive Lead for Community Services at Lutheran Services Australia and has a passion for innovative intergenerational and arts initiatives in care.
Lachie Green
Policy and Project Officer
BallyCara Aged Care
Lachie Green is the Policy and Project Officer for BallyCara, a non-profit age services provider, where he has worked in many capacities over eight years. Through his role, Lachie is experienced in program implementation and evaluation, and has worked closely with BallyCara’s Creative Engagement Therapists.
Mikhaila Frampton
ComLink Australia
Mikhaila Frampton is an Aged and Community Care professional whose passion for supporting people to age in place is what continues to drive her success within the sector. Mikhaila is currently the Regional Manager (Central) at Comlink Australia, a large not-for-profit organisation that supports aging, vulnerable and disabled people to live independently in their own homes and communities follow.
Xanthe Golenko
Adjunct Research Fellow with Griffith University
Xanthe is passionate about exploring innovative approaches to service delivery in aged care and in the community, that are evidence-informed, sustainable and effective in improving the social and emotional wellbeing of older adults. She has extensive experience in the codesign, implementation and evaluation of programs involving storytelling, creative arts and building intergenerational connections. She collaborates with an international network of researchers and practitioners to increase awareness and establish a robust evidence base to support this transformational work.
Follow this link to download a program of events
Lunch is provided.
4.30pm on - the event will be followed by networking drinks
and nibbles (own cost) at a local venue:
JUNK (1 Courage Street, Sippy Downs – 800m from symposium venue)
follow this link to see their menu
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