The Best Senior Communities that offer The Arts

Today’s retirement communities offer more options than ever before, providing niche living spaces to fit your personality, not just your age.

One of the growing specialty markets in senior living communities is the arts. Both independent living and assisted living communities are catering to those individuals who want to immerse themselves in the fine arts. 

If you’re looking for a community offering a strong arts program, consider one of the following.

1. Burbank Senior Artists Colony

Located in Burbank, Calif., this independent living community boasts a performance theater, art studios and a choir comprised of colony members. 

Lifelong learning programs are offered at the Burbank Senior Artists Colony in such topics as:

• Poetry in Motion
• Writing
• Anti-aging
• Computers

2. NOHO Senior Arts Colony

This independent living community for individuals 62 years of age and older is located in North Hollywood.  The Road Theatre Company makes its home at the stadium-style 78-seat performing arts theater located at NOHO.

Residents are able to take advantage of the complimentary onsite arts, health, wellness and interactive community programming provided by EngAGE. 

The arts community embraces art in all forms. They offer yoga classes and writing seminars as well as a visual arts studio and digital arts room. 

3. Long Beach Senior Arts Colony Apartments

Just a short walk away from the East Village Arts District in Long Beach, Calif., the Long Beach Senior Arts Colony Apartments is a 55 and older community that embraces creativity.

The community encourages residents to stay active and participate in a multitude of arts and fitness classes, including dance lessons in the community’s dance studio. There is also an arts studio and outdoor resident gardening area for those who prefer the art of nature. 

A full art gallery is located on the premises, where residents are encouraged to display their creative works. 

4. The Mayflower

This continuing care retirement resort, located in Winter Park, Fla., hosts an annual juried art show for artists aged 55 and older. The “Art for Generations” exhibit is free and open to the public, and features creative works made by older adults and local residents. 

Residents at The Mayflower are encouraged to support and enjoy the arts in their local community by participating in outings to the symphony, ballet, theater and opera in the Orlando area. 

The community has an award-winning partnership with a local college to provide classes for residents in such subjects as:

• Art
• Theater
• Writing
• History
• Environmental Sciences

5. Taos Retirement Village

This 55 and older independent living community describes itself as an "eclectic community of artists, educators, authors, craftsmen and women, poets, musicians, business people and renegades."

Located in Taos, New Mexico, this community is settled next to the Taos Public Library and Town Hall, and is centrally located for dining and shopping convenience. There are also local theaters and opera houses nearby. 

The Taos Retirement Village has created a sort of community within itself. The Taos Bistro and Center for the Arts offer places for residents to hone a great skill or begin a new hobby. Theater, art, music, dance and yoga are all featured here.

6. The Fountains at La Cholla

In March of 2015, this independent living community announced a partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts and Cultural Alliance (SAACA) to offer a wide range of courses to the 400+ residents. 

The SAACA will also moderate a rotating exhibit in the community’s art gallery, thus providing ever-changing visual art for the residents. This is all part of the La Cholla commitment to engaging the passions of its residents in the Tucson, Ariz. Community.

The Fountains at La Cholla is part of the Watermark group of retirement communities.

Embrace Your Artistic Side

If you’ve always been an artist and want to continue to create, or you just want to be surrounded by the arts in your retirement, one of these communities may be right for you.