BRIDGING THRU ARTS
Music Theater Dance Creative Writing Visual Arts + More!
Bridging thru Arts (BTA), a major expansion of our long-running Bridging thru Music program, brings volunteer performing and visual artists into long-term care and senior living facilities to ease isolation and loneliness in these communities. With BTA, we’re broadening our reach to include theater, visual arts, poetry, film, dance, digital arts, crafts, and more. We’re now inviting artists, students, and arts organizations to get involved as volunteer artists—sharing performances or creative experiences that bring joy, connection, and inspiration to older adults If you or if you know someone interested in volunteering please reach out to Rob Thomure.
Bridging thru Arts is made possible by a grant from and in partnership with CityBridge Laguna Honda. Part of our mandate with BTA is to serve facilities with fewer resources and low-income residents.
Bridging thru Arts - Music provides both amateur and professional volunteer musicians the opportunity to share their music with residents in long term care facilities. These musical events are interactive and informal. For many residents, especially those experiencing cognitive issues, hearing music from earlier years can bring forth memories enabling them to feel connected to their past while also being present with the musicians and other audience members. Thus music can reduce social isolation more quickly than a conversation. The performers also have fun and learn to understand and appreciate older adults, and gain confidence by performing for diverse audiences.
Here is an informative Washington Post article on how music can bring back memories, even with dementia patients.
Facilities: Take a look at our Musician Profiles page to see a some of the volunteer musicians we have available. To request music, dance, or theater performances by our volunteers email BTA Coordinator Rob Thomure
Volunteers in the Arts Needed to Perform or Share their Talents!
Bridging Thru Arts is always looking for musicians, actors, dancers, and artists to help spread the joy of music for Marin’s senior communities. Young or old, amateur, student, or pro: all are welcome. It’s a great opportunity to share your talents, interact with older adults, and have some fun. We will provide all support and coordination. To find out more, please contact BTA Coordinator Rob Thomure
Saturday May 9th 3 to 4:30 PM, Vivalon’s Healthy Aging Campus Auditorium. Follow this link for more info and to register.
“...we are so happy and grateful to have the LITA music program at Bello Gardens. As you can see from our residents faces, they were lit! Music certainly touches the soul and the brain.”
Musical News….
