CULTURAL EQUITY STATEMENT

At Creative Aging Network-NC (CAN-NC), we embrace diversity, partnership and inclusion, and strive to ensure a sense of belonging for all who participate. CAN-NC leaders know there is great potential for personal growth and enhanced well-being as we age. We know that creative self-expression is universal and making art together can be transformational. That’s why we use creativity as a platform to connect across age, race, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, health status, disability, philosophical and religious beliefs, language, and cultural backgrounds. Our aim is to create a healthier, more positive aging experience using creativity as the catalyst for social change.

Too often older people say they feel invisible; they feel a lack of relevancy and purpose. To counter these feelings and the pervasive ageism in our society, CAN-NC promotes the creative contributions and extensive talent of our older generation through multicultural and intergenerational arts programming, community art exhibitions, training and education, and civic engagement. By empowering older adults to share their voices through art-making and public art forums, we are advocating a new way of thinking about our later years.

Our 10-acre campus is a vibrant center of teaching and learning where older people can share lessons learned and make life more gratifying. Our Board of Directors and staff acknowledge that our campus is on the traditional territory of Indigenous people such as the Eno, Shakori, Sapponi, Keyauwee, and Saura. We recognize the history of colonialism and first nations, and seek collaborations with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to ensure our campus is a welcoming, accepting environment where older people from all walks of life can learn and share new creative skills, and develop fulfilling relationships to improve their lives and strengthen their communities.