The Art of Ageing is a Wellcome Trust funded public engagement programme being implemented in Zimbabwe and The Gambia. It aims to give older people a platform and voice to express their opinions and experiences about ageing through the creative arts. It promotes innovation and ideas towards wellbeing in older age, and aims to combat ageism. These aims align with those of the WHO Healthy Ageing 2021-30 strategy.
The 2023 Art of Ageing Competition received hundreds of entries in four art categories: music, dance, prose and mixed media from across the two countries. In Zimbabwe, the competition finalists went through a mentorship stage, whereby they were assisted in creating innovative final projects, themed around wellbeing and ageing. A panel of judges convened to select the winners from amongst these finalist projects. The winners in each category and all the finalists and their artworks were then celebrated in an Art of Ageing Showcase, on Friday 16th February 2024, attended by multiple stakeholders including members of various ministries, embassies, and local and international organizations working with older populations in Zimbabwe. In The Gambia, a panel of judges convened to select the winners from amongst the finalist projects. The winners in each category and all the finalists and their artworks are to be celebrated at the forthcoming Art of Ageing Showcase in The Gambia, on February 28th 2024.
In addition the Art of Ageing art competitions, this engagement programme is also working on an Art of Ageing film that will use cinematic storytelling to explore ageing journeys in Zimbabwe and The Gambia. The film will include expert interviews, testimonials from older people, art (including the art competition top entries), and re-enactments informed by interviews and workshops with older people.
You can find out more about the Art of Ageing on their website here.
The Art of Ageing is funded by the Wellcome Trust. 
