2020 Summer  Newsletter
Building bridges across age and cognitive barriers through art

Intergenerational Engagement during the Pandemic
How do we stay in-touch at a time when physical distancing is necessary? OMA responded to this challenge by creating a fully online training for OMA facilitators, designing an online service learning course for students in the fall, and promoting the Creative Caregiving Guide for caregivers to make the arts a part of the caregiving routine. This summer issue focuses on our efforts to stay connected despite the pandemic.  Read more about our ideas here. 
ODM Funding Available and 2021 Training Dates
The next round of funding from the Ohio Department of Medicaid to implement OMA will open in September 2020. Priority is given to nursing homes with university health sciences partnerships. OMA training is open to anyone--artists, educators, and aging professionals-- with or without the grant. Here are the  2021 OMA Facilitator Training dates:
  • Option 1: Fully online training  
    • June 7 - July 2, 2021 with live sessions July 15 and 16, 2021 or August 12 and 13, 2021.
  • Option 2: Fully in-person training
    • May 24 - 27, 2021 in Oxford, OH.
  • Option 3: Hybrid training (online training with in-person practicum)
    • Online June 7 - July 2, 2021 plus in-person practicum on July 20 and 21, 2021 in Canal Fulton, OH.
Purchase an OMA face mask!
Have you visited the OMA online store recently? You may notice a new addition: face masks! Choose from over 25 different designs by OMA artists. Visit the online  OMA store. 
Featured OMA Site:  Husson University in Bangor, ME
Kathi Smith, Assistant Professor of Studio Arts & Art Appreciation, and Dr. Laurie Mouradian, Chair & Professor, School of Occupation Therapy, (both OMA Class of 2018), work together to bring OMA to students of all majors at Husson University in Maine. Learn how Smith and Mouradian created opportunities of virtual connectedness and reflection for their students and OMA artists during these unprecedented times of COVID-19. Read more here.

OMA Artists and Students (NEW Video)
As students transitioned from in-person class to remote learning during the spring semester of 2020, our service-learning courses adapted as well. A few students wrote about their experiences with online learning and OMA. Read more on our blog.

Have you seen our new video? Hear from students and elders about their experiences in OMA. Watch the 60 second video on YouTube.
Art Idea: Celebrating World Art Day
On April 15, 2020, we celebrated World Art Day with artists and creatives from across the United States. Due to physical distancing requirements, many people were unable to leave their homes. We asked how artists have stayed creative while at home. See photos and watch the full video of the event on our website.
Additional Resources
Connecting with each other is even more important these days. Below are samples of free resources available to you:
Visit our website  to view additional blog posts and learn more about OMA. 

Contact us!
Email: S [email protected] 
Phone: (513) 529-2914
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