Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage supports one-of-a-kind cultural and healthful opportunities for seniors
Featured photo: Berston Field House’s Smooth Steppers
FLINT, Mich. – Genesee County is jam-packed full of healthy and enriching activities for seniors across cultural institutions that receive funding from the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Millage.
The unique programs are as diverse as the wonderful cultural institutions located throughout Genesee County. Thanks to the millage, these facilities bring to life the arts, history and science for thousands of seniors each year, helping to keep them healthy and engaged in the community.
The Flint Institute of Music (FIM) has an incredible list of activities for seniors, including Flint School of Performing Arts adult music lessons, dance classes, theatre classes, music therapy and more than 225 concerts each year, most of them free. FIM brings the Interactive Music & Reminiscence Group to the Hasselbring Senior Center, where engaging music sparks conversation and promotes health. The Entertainment Express program is designed to bring musical entertainment to assisted living, convalescent and senior living centers and nursing homes. FIM also offers dementia music therapy, designed to support cognitive function and enhance social interaction, at the Kith Haven Nursing & Rehab Center and McFarlan Home.
“Seniors in residential homes may have limited mobility, access or financial resources, making it difficult for them to engage with live arts events,” said Rodney Lontine, FIM president and CEO. “The unique needs of elderly residents, such as cognitive or physical challenges, are often overlooked, leading to fewer tailored programs designed to bring the arts directly to them. We are proud of our lineup of activities specially designed for seniors.”
At the Berston Field House, the Sensational Senior Fitness Experience offers accessible fitness programming designed to enhance balance, strength, endurance and flexibility, and Smooth Steppers teaches seniors line dancing to help them stay active and in good health. Through Sensational Seniors, Berston also brings fitness classes into the community at Flint-area senior centers.
“Berston Field House values the seniors of Genesee County,” said Berston Executive Director James Avery. “The activities we offer are tailor-made to promote community and health.”
Lifelong learning and connection are in store for seniors at the Flint Institute of Arts (FIA). The museum’s Creative Aging at FIA is a suite of free and low-cost programs designed to promote wellness, connection and lifelong learning through the arts for older adults. Programs include Sketching in the Galleries, Art Chats and Hands-on Art Workshops. Art Spark! is an innovative program offering gallery tours and art-making activities for individuals living with mild to moderate memory loss and their care partners. Starting in November, FIA will offer Art Spark! Harmonies, a program designed in cooperation with FIM that builds on the success of Art Spark! through music.
“Access to art and culture is just as important to older adults as it is to anyone else, and at the Flint Institute of Arts, we are proud to ensure that our rich cultural offerings are available and accessible to seniors,” said Tracee Glab, FIA executive director. “At the FIA, seniors have a chance to experience the arts in ways that can enrich and improve their lives.”
Longway Planetarium shows are discounted for all seniors, and Sloan Museum of Discovery has senior discounts for special traveling exhibits. Starting in September 2026, Sloan Museum will launch Septembers are for Seniors, with special activities and discounts for older adults throughout the month.
“We see many grandparents spending quality time and making great memories with their grandchildren in the hands-on science galleries, especially during the summer, and then enjoy reminiscing about Genesee County’s nostalgic past in the History Gallery,” said Todd Slisher, Sloan and Longway executive director. “It is one of the few places generations of Genesee County families can go where there’s something for all ages and free general admission for the whole family.”
The New McCree Theatre organizes regular Senior Citizen Days at the Theatre, where older adults get free admission to popular shows. Recently, 120 seniors attended a performance of “Those Gorgeous, Glamorous Girl Groups.” New McCree also hosts a senior line dancing troupe, The Hustlers on the Move, that attracts as many as 75 seniors from 3-5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays.
To learn more about activities designed for seniors, visit the institutions’ websites:
- Sloan and Longway at sloanlongway.org
- FIA at flintarts.org
- FIM at thefim.org
- Berston Field House at berston.org
- GFAC at greaterflintartscouncil.org
- The New McCree Theatre at thenewmccreetheatre.com
Through the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage, Genesee County residents enjoy free general admission to the Sloan Museum of Discovery and the Flint Institute of Arts, 50% off Longway Planetarium, free programming at Berston Field House, as well as 30-50% off performances at FIM venues and discounts at The New McCree Theatre.
