Celebrate Arts Festival
Celebrating Older Adults in our Community
CelebratEArts 2025
An Annual Arts Festival Celebrating Older Adults in our Community
Educational Alliance invites you to experience the vibrant creativity and cultural contributions of older New Yorkers during the fourth annual CelebratEArts Festival. CelebratEArts, a month-long arts festival held in May, is part of our broader celebration of Older Americans Month, an initiative dedicated to combating ageism and honoring contributions across generations. Our 2025 theme, Flip the Script, aligns with the national theme set by the Administration for Community Living and challenges artists and audiences to break boundaries, redefine narratives, and transform society’s perception of aging. CelebratEArts provides a dynamic platform for older adults to share their art, express themselves, and connect with the community.
The festival is hosted across five Educational Alliance sites, including the 14th Street Y, Co-Op Village NORC, Project ORE, Sirovich Center for Balanced Living, and Weinberg Center for Balanced Living. Throughout the month, you can enjoy a diverse array of gallery exhibits, performances, workshops, art sales, and intergenerational programs.
Below, you’ll find the schedule of events for CelebratEArts 2025, including dates, times, and locations. All events are free to ensure accessibility for everyone. Be sure to mark your calendar for a month of creativity, inspiration, and connection!
CelebratEArts Schedule
Advanced registration is encouraged for the events in the 14Y Theater. These tickets will be distributed via the Older Adult Theater Desk and at the door.
Week 1
CONCRETE TEMPLE THEATRE: IF THE WALLS COULD TALK
Sunday, April 27 | 2:30 – 4:00 PM
Dixon Place, 161A Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002
Dixon Place and Concrete Temple Theatre heartily invite you to a special Cultural Education & Community Outreach (CECO) presentation. Join us for an evening of exciting new theatrical works created by Sirovich Center artists inspired by a virtual tour of NYC’s Tenement Museum. This free performance offers a glimpse into the untold stories of New York’s past.
ART GALLERIES
Monday, May 5 – Friday, May 30
Reflections in Color & Motion
14th Street Y, Lobby
Monday – Friday | 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday | 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Featuring older adult artists from the Sirovich Center’s Open Paint Studio, each creating a piece that captures their identity and journey. This collection is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of community in New York City’s ever-changing artistic landscape.
Life in Color & Art Knows No Age
Manny Cantor Center
Life in Color: Jewish Communal Fund Gallery (Lobby)
Art Knows No Age: Rubenstein Gallery (M Level)
Monday –Thursday 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday 6:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Art Knows No Age is an exhibition showcasing artwork from Weinberg Center and Co-op Village NORC members who explored diverse mediums such as acrylic painting, Chinese beading, collage, drawing, handbuilding, knitting, and more as they find their creative voice. Life in Color is a vibrant display celebrating the intergenerational partnership between Weinberg Center members and Early Childhood students in Creativity Connects. Together, these exhibitions highlight the power of artistic expression across generations, proving that creativity knows no bounds.
Handmade and Timeless
Sirovich Center for Balanced Living, Auditorium and Corridor
Monday – Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
An exhibition highlighting artwork created by members of the Sirovich Center and Project ORE. The collection showcases diverse artistic expressions, including ceramics, mosaics, jewelry, and pieces inspired by creative and drama therapy participants. Through these works, artists reflect on personal stories, creativity, and the joy of making art at every stage of life.
Week 2
TEACHING ARTISTS ON CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY, AND EXPRESSION: A PANEL DISCUSSION
Monday, May 5 | 1:30 – 3:30 PM
Manny Cantor Center, 6th Floor Rooftop
In this panel discussion, Teaching Artists from Educational Alliance Older Adult Programs will explore the importance of creativity, community, and self-expression. They’ll share insights on how these elements shape participants’ lives, fostering connection, building community, and enhancing well-being through the transformative power of art in older adult programming.
JEWELRY & KNITTING SALE
Tuesday, May 6 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Manny Cantor Center, Lobby
Discover exquisite handmade jewelry crafted by artists from Co-Op Village NORC! Explore unique necklaces, bracelets, and earrings designed to make anyone feel truly special.
CRAFT SALE
Wednesday, May 7 | 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Manny Cantor Center, Lobby
Find the perfect, heartfelt gift for Mother’s Day as you browse a diverse selection of Chinese beading, unique crafts, sewing, and more—all handcrafted by members of the Weinberg Center.
CERAMICS & ART SALE
Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sirovich Center for Balanced Living, Auditorium
Shop unique ceramics, mosaics, paintings, and jewelry, all handmade by talented community artisans.
RECEPTION
Friday, May 9 | 6:00 – 7:30 PM
14th Street Y, Lobby
Join us for the Reflections in Color & Motion Gallery Reception where you can engage with the artists, explore their unique works, and enjoy light refreshments. Celebrate the creativity and personal stories captured in each piece.
Week 3
PUPPETRY DANCE THEATER
Tuesday, May 13 | 2:00 – 3:00 PM
14th Street Y, Theater
Presented by Studies in Puppet Form Workshop, a series which explores the intersection of puppetry, movement, and storytelling to enhance body awareness and creative expression. Led by community partner Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre, participants will present a multidisciplinary performance, followed by a talk-back on their artistic journey.
MCC COMMUNITY PROM
Wednesday, May 14 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Manny Cantor Center, Basketball Court
Get ready to dance through the decades! Enjoy an afternoon of music, dancing, activities, refreshments, raffles, and more as we come together to celebrate across generations.
Week 4
MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCE
Friday, May 23 | 3:00 – 5:30 PM
14th Street Y, Theater
Experience a vibrant lineup of acting, singing, dancing, storytelling, comedy, and music, performed by older New Yorkers and our Ageless Arts intergenerational classes. Advance registration through Theater Desk is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome at the door. A reception with live music and light refreshments will follow in the 14Y Lobby.
MAINSTAGE PERFORMANCE
Saturday, May 24 | 3:00 – 5:30 PM
14th Street Y, Theater
Experience a vibrant lineup of acting, singing, dancing, storytelling, comedy, and music, performed by older New Yorkers and our Ageless Arts intergenerational classes. Advance registration through Theater Desk is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome at the door. A reception with live music and light refreshments will follow in the 14Y Lobby.
Week 5
LiveOnNY’s ANNUAL AGING ADVOCACY DAY
Wednesday, May 28 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
City Hall Park, Broadway &, Chambers St, New York, NY 10007
For nearly three decades, LiveOn NY, its members, and older New Yorkers from across the five boroughs have taken to City Hall to demand our fair share of the City budget. This year will be no different. Join us in advocating for increased funding for aging services, including nutrition, housing, and arts and educational programming for older New Yorkers. Register with your local center for additional event details.
GRANDCESTORS: STORIES THAT SHAPE US
Thursday, May 29 | 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Manny Cantor Center, 6th Floor Rooftop
Celebrate National Share-a-Story Month and Lower East Side History Month with older New Yorkers sharing personal histories and legacies that connect us. Join us for an afternoon fostering community through storytelling and reflection.
BEE-YOND BLOTS: MIXED MEDIA & INKBLOT
Friday, May 30 | 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Manny Cantor Center, Rm. 404
Experience the fusion of personal stories and artistic expression as this exhibition showcases how individual narratives enrich the art of inkblot. The exhibition highlights the beauty of diverse perspectives and their interconnectedness within a compelling artistic landscape. Led by Annysa Ng, a Su-CASA artist-in-residence, this program is administered by LMCC and supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Additional support is provided by the Tiger Baron Foundation. Exhibition runs through June 25.
Educational Alliance Locations:
The 14th Street Y
344 East 14th Street
Manny Cantor Center
197 East Broadway
Project ORE
331 East 12th Street
Sirovich Center for Balanced Living
331 East 12th Street
Theater Desk Hours and Locations:
TICKET TUESDAYS | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Sirovich Center, Lobby | 331 East 12th Street
THEATER THURSDAYS | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Manny Cantor Center, WCBL 6th Floor Rooftop | 197 East Broadway