Work with me for dementia art therapy

flexible ways to help you provide a meaningful and beneficial art experience for those living with dementia in your care

For those who wish to develop their own skills and learn to provide art and art therapy program facilitation within their organization, I provide dementia-friendly art program training and education, and consultation for any of the above partners and healthcare organizations, as well as artists and art therapists who wish to specialize in supporting those living with dementia.

This training is available in an e-course format, but can also be booked as a live webinar, or in-person training.

For anyone wishing to access dementia-friendly, tested and validated art lessons, I offer an art lesson membership with two new lessons uploaded every month.

For those who simply wish to book me for art and art therapy program facilitation, I work with leadership and staff across all healthcare sectors (Long-term Care, Retirement, Community Healthcare Services, Hospitals), and I include partners such as schools, galleries and other community and social partners. This includes both long-term and short-term projects and programs.

Self-study:

Building a Dementia-friendly Art Program e-course

This e-course delivers all the components you need to get started with your very own art groups, from material selection and environmental considerations, to group structure and how to support various presentations of dementia and cognitive change in the art group.

Art Lessons for Dementia membership

Gives you immediate access to a wide variety of tested and validated dementia-friendly art projects. Each video includes step-by-step instructions, special considerations, and topics related to the project to support participant engagement. Projects are primarily watercolour-based, but also include other media, such as air-dry clay. New lessons added each month!

In-person program facilitation:

Art Therapy Program Facilitation (in SW Ontario)

I provide ongoing group art therapy programs in many long-term care, retirement and healthcare settings in Southwestern Ontario.

I can support up to six participants at a time, and programs run for 45-50 minutes. I provide all materials, and ensure they are non-toxic and safe to use.  All lessons and projects are suitable to create successful outcomes for all ranges of cognitive change and presentation, as well as art experience and skill.

Group programs start at $120.00 per session.  Travel costs are in addition to the group rate.

Client Feedback

  • — Keely Warwick-Burke, Recreationist, St. Andrew’s Residence

    The individuals that participated were very proud of their work every week. Almost all of them have their work hung up in their rooms, which is absolutely amazing!

    I have noticed a great impact on some of the participants. One individual that comes to mind was having a very tough time and had been struggling with her dementia, has been very happy and her bubbly self again, which we haven’t seen in a very long time. We are very grateful for this impact.

  • — Alten Wilmot, Artistic and Executive Director, Unwrap Theatre

    We are new to working with the dementia population and Krista was able to help us see the full potential for our project both creatively and administratively. Our conversation left us buzzing with inspired excitement. Afterward, she gave us a comprehensive report with a wide selection of avenues we can take, each accompanied by clear, actionable instructions on how we can do it.

  • — Mikaila Eskritt, Recreationist, Blenheim Community Village

    Overall, very impressed. It was a welcoming, comforting and therapeutic environment that the residents thoroughly enjoyed. The hour didn’t seem long enough, that’s how much they enjoyed it. The residents seemed more happy and relaxed after the art.  They all had positive things to say.

  • — Lori Tinline, Recreation Manager, Village on the Ridge Retirement Home

    Residents were always very happy after leaving, even if they were having a bad day prior to attending. Krista was so kind and so patient with everyone, and you could definitely see the pride on their faces as they were showing off their work. Overall, I think this was a fun and special program for the participants that got them out of their rooms and given a safe space to be creative.

Collaborations:

Short-term Collaborative Art Projects

Collaborative art projects are an incredible way to bring together different community, healthcare and art organizations for larger, short term programs aimed at making connections and creating meaningful public art together. I’m happy to facilitate or help create the right project for you, from start to finish.

My involvement may include:

  • Consultation

  • Being involved in the  grant or funding application process

  • Creating the project

  • Developing and communicating project timeline, intended outcome, and evaluations

  • Exploring and securing community partnerships and involvement

  • Facilitation of the project, and providing support to any co-facilitators

  • Supporting the artists and all collaborators throughout the project timeline

  • Framing and presentation of the finished project

Collaborative projects range in pricing, dependent on budget, timelines, and the extent of my involvement. I’m happy to explore flexibility in my involvement to suit your budget.

Consultation and speaking:

Consultation

Consultation is tailored to your needs. Whether you need one-time, short-term or extended consultation, I can support you through a variety of needs in establishing an art program or project for those living with dementia.

I provide full consult reports, including project overview, relevant research, project funding considerations, training recommendations, solutions to identified challenges and a detailed schedule of responsibilities and action items.

Consultation fees start at $120.00 an hour. Travel and other considerations are additional to hourly rate.

Speaking & large events

I am available to present and speak about art and dementia, or facilitate a large group project at your next event. Fill the room with creativity, engagement and increase awareness about the efficacy of art for those living with cognitive change.

I will tailor my presentation or event project to your needs, and will communicate with you through the planning process, attend any event preparation meetings and will present either in-person or virtually.

Pricing for speaking engagements and large event program facilitation starts at $500.00 and varies depending on event duration, amount of attendees and other factors. Travel and other expenses associated with the event are additional to the event fee.

Inquire about working with me

If you’d like to work with me for in-person art program facilitation, a short-term collaborative art project, consultation, speaking, or running a large event, please fill out the form below. I’ll be in touch with you shortly after submitting your request.