MICRA highlighted as key player in the development of arts and culture in Age-Friendly Manchester

22 May 2017

Esme Ward, Director of Learning and Engagement Department at The Whitworth and Manchester Museum, praised MICRA for their role in the Age Friendly Manchester movement.

In an interview by Performing Arts Network Japan about her involvement in the Age-Friendly Manchester movement, Esme, who is also the Strategic Lead of Culture for the Greater Manchester Ageing Hub, discussed the importance of arts and culture in development an age-friendly city.

Esme highlighted MICRAs role in this development, saying:

“MICRA’s reach is extraordinary because they have many researchers, ranging from older people who are co-researchers through to academics currently doing research around all aspects of ageing. It reminds me of an ecosystem. So I've just completed an application in partnership with MICRA to look at how to bring in a researcher to do some postgraduate research into the impact of culture on older people across the city.”

She mentioned that the Greater Manchester hub team have discussed setting up a Centre for Excellence in Arts and Ageing, which would be supported by MICRA, with the intention of bringing together the very best practice around arts and ageing. This centre would bring together work from all over Manchester, both academic and community-led initiatives, to consider arts and culture across all media to support ageing agenda.

MICRA looks forward to working closely with Esme on these plans, and we will keep you posted on future developments.

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