Innovative Victorian aged care provider Lifeview is excited to unveil a new intergenerational art program, which will connect secondary school aged students and residents living at Lifeview homes.
Local secondary students in Years 10-12 will be invited to participate in Lifeview’s inaugural Reilly Art Prize program, which will see students paint a portrait of a resident across several visits.
During the visits, the paired resident and student will swap stories and chat, ask each other questions, and get to know one another.
The information collected by students during these conversations will assist the artist to personalise the resident’s portrait.
A $5000 prize will be awarded to the winning entrant at the completion of the program.
Intergenerational programs have long been a valuable opportunity to engage older people, especially those living in residential aged care.
Lifeview regularly connects residents with younger people through visits from local school or kindergarten aged students, as part of an industry-leading social support and lifestyle program.
“We are very excited to launch the Reilly Art Prize, which we hope will quickly become a much sought-after prize among local art students," Lifeview CEO Samantha Jewell said.
Highlighting the importance of intergenerational programs in aged care, Jewell said it was not just the residents who benefited from the engagement.
“These sorts of programs are incredibly valuable. Residents engage with the students and vice versa, and they all get so much out of it,” she said.
“We regularly have visits from local students who engage with residents in various ways, such as teaching them computers and technology, craft activities, or just chatting with them.”
A panel of judges will be assembled to select the winning Reilly Art Prize entrant at an exhibition event later this year, where all students’ works will be displayed.
About Peter Reilly
Peter Reilly OAM – has had a distinguished career in business, the arts and philanthropy.
Peter received OAM for distinguished service to the community, to the arts, in particular opera and ballet, and to charitable, education and disability services, aged care and overall financial governance.
Peter contributed to a number of projects for The Australian Ballet, and led Lifeview’s LGBTIQ+ inclusion program, which saw the company become the first profit-for-purpose aged care provider to receive Rainbow Tick accreditation and a Foundation Sponsor of the Victorian Pride Centre.
He is a former Executive Chairman of Able Australia and past Chairman/Director of the St Bernard’s Foundation.
Current Director of Melba Opera Trust, Board Member of The Australian Ballet, Chairman of Scotchmans Hill Pty Ltd, and Executive Director of Lifeview.
On receiving OAM, Mr Reilly said: “It is a humbling experience to be recognised in such a way. I try to live my life by making a difference and undertaking pursuits where I can ensure there is a real benefit to individuals and our community.”
If you are a Year 10, 11 or 12 student wishing to take part in the Reilly Art Prize program (our homes are based in Chelsea, Cranbourne, Emerald and Wheelers Hill) click here to express interest.
Student Ava painting the portrait of Willow Wood resident Ken.
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