What is Opening Minds Through Art?

Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational artmaking program for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. It is designed to help build a society that values all people without regard to age or cognitive status.  Developed in 2007 at Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center in Oxford, Ohio, the program is grounded in person-centered care principles and enhances the lives of the participants.  OMA helps others to view those diagnosed with dementia more positively. This attitude in turn directly improves the quality of interaction with, and care of, the participants.

Its  mission, to build bridges across age and cognitive barriers through art, is promoted through weekly art sessions.  Each trained volunteer (college/high school student or community member) works with the participant and establishes a close relationship born of a desire to connect in a creative, compassionate manner. The art sessions are led by trained facilitators.  While the volunteer provides   guidance during the artmaking process, all aesthetic decisions are made by artist.  Both the art-making process and the final artwork created reinforce the vitality and creativity of the artist.

Altenheim was awarded a grant from the Gerontology Center in 2017 to establish an OMA program and is a registered OMA provider.

The art sessions, held in 2018, culminated in the first OMA Art Show and Auction on

December 9, 2018. Because of the generosity of donors, we are able to continue the program.  This year’s OMA Art Show will be held on September 7, 2019.

What can you do to help?

Become a sponsor of the Art Show

Sponsor levels include:

Curator     $1,000 (guest at Art Show, logo in program, signage & verbal acknowledgement at event, Art of your choosing)

Collector   $500   (guest at Art Show, logo in program, signage & verbal acknowledgement at event)

Muse        $250    (guest at Art Show, listing in program, acknowledgement at event)

Canvas     $100    (guest at Art Show, listing in program)

Participate in the Art Auction

Go to https://auction.altenheim.com to bid on your favorite art.  Auction ends September 7, 2019.

All donations will be used to support the art program in future years.  Your participation and gift will make a difference in the residents’ lives.  You will be helping them be better versions of themselves.

Special thanks to lead sponsor Arts in Strongsville.