rhythm is life- A World of Rhythm at your feet!

Rhythm is Life: A Community Arts and Cultural Development Model

Launched in 2019, Rhythm is Life is a pioneering creative ageing program designed to increase access to meaningful, culturally responsive arts engagement for older people from First Nations and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) backgrounds. Initially delivered in Ultimo and Pyrmont, the program has since expanded to Western Sydney, with plans to grow across the Central Coast and Newcastle over the next five years.

Grounded in a Community Arts and Cultural Development (CACD) approach, Rhythm is Life was co-designed by a professional dancer and dance therapist, a social worker specialising in working with older communities, and members of the Fusion Culture Seniors Group—community elders with a shared passion for bringing the joy of the arts, particularly dance, to older audiences. Extensive community consultation shaped the program’s evolution, expanding its scope to include drumming and visual arts in response to participants’ interests and cultural preferences.

Program Achievements (2019–Present):

• Older participants engaged: 1,407

• Professional dance educators engaged and trained: 53

• Professional drummers engaged: 4

• Professional visual artists engaged: 5

Key Objectives and Outcomes:

1. Promotes productive ageing and healthy lifestyles

Encourages older people to stay physically active, socially connected, and intellectually engaged through arts-based activities that support wellbeing.

2. Fosters creative exploration and self-expression

Inspires older participants to embrace new artistic practices, boosting confidence, curiosity, and a sense of purpose.

3. Strengthens cross-sector partnerships

Facilitates collaboration between the arts sector, aged care services, and community organisations to build holistic, creative support for older people.

4. Elevates awareness of creative ageing

Demonstrates the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of arts participation in later life, advocating for the value of creative ageing within the broader health and community sectors.

5. Celebrates the voices and talents of older people

Showcases the artistic contributions of older participants, challenging ageist narratives and affirming their role as cultural bearers and storytellers.

6. Supports artist development and economic participation

Creates paid opportunities for both emerging and established professional artists, while building their capacity to facilitate inclusive, intergenerational, and culturally respectful creative programs.

Through Rhythm is Life, we aim to build inclusive, empowered, and connected communities where older people are recognised as vital contributors to cultural life. The program exemplifies the social impact of creativity and the power of co-design in delivering sustainable, community-driven arts experiences.