The Cleveland Clinic Arts & Medicine Institute, Cleveland Museum of Art, University Hospitals and Alzheimer's Association have partnered to present a free seminar on using art to enhance the lives of people with Alzheimer's disease. "Engage: Making Art Accessible to People with Dementia" will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the auditorium of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Designed for Alzheimer's caregivers, healthcare professionals and museum educators, the program features lectures, training and demonstrations of the Museum of Modern Art's (MoMA) Alzheimer's Project. Participants will hear first-hand from Amir Parsa, manager of MoMA's program, about the success of Meet Me at MoMA, which provides interactive tours and discussions in the museum's New York City galleries, giving those living with the degenerative disease an expressive outlet and forum for dialogue.

MoMA was one of the first museums in the country to offer programs to make its collection and special exhibitions accessible to people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. In research conducted about the effectiveness of the program, participants reported enhanced self esteem, increased energy and recollection of the past.

Healthcare professionals will get tips on the logistics of developing an arts engagement program for patients of their institutions, while arts organizations interested in developing such programs will learn teaching strategies and best practices, as well as how to select art and audience-appropriate activities. Docents from the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Clinic Arts & Medicine Institute will be trained to use artwork in these collections for future partnerships with local Alzheimer's organizations.

The complete list of presenters includes:

Griff Mann, chief curator, The Cleveland Museum of Art
Randolph Schiffer, M.D., Cleveland Clinic, "Introduction: The Many Modes of Touching Persons with Alzheimer's Disease";
Peter Whitehouse, M.D., University Hospitals, "New Stories of Positive Aging and Brain Health";
Alan Lerner, M.D., University Hospitals, "The Iconography of Alzheimer's Disease";
Susan and George Roby, Alzheimer's Association, perspectives from a couple living with Alzheimer's disease; and
Lisa Gallagher and Patty Console, The Music Settlement, "Music Therapy for Individuals with Dementia," which includes a music therapy interactive performance.

The program is free, but registration is required and space is limited. For more information, or to register, call 216-707-2464 or e-mail educationrsvp@clevelandart.org.