Building Bridges Between Research and Practice

Prismatic was founded on the belief that creativity is not a luxury—it's essential to human flourishing at every age.

Our Story

The creative aging field has produced decades of compelling research: art-making reduces depression, music interventions improve memory recall, dance enhances mobility and balance, storytelling fosters intergenerational connection. Yet too often, this research remains in academic journals rather than reaching the communities that need it most.

Prismatic exists to close that gap.

We translate evidence-based research into practical, sustainable programs that aging services providers can implement with confidence. Our approach is grounded in gerontology, therapeutic recreation, and the arts, but delivered with pragmatism—we understand the realities of staffing constraints, budget limitations, and the competing demands on care providers.

Founded in 2025, Prismatic emerged from years of frontline work in senior living communities, collaborations with researchers, and partnerships with arts organizations. We've seen firsthand how creativity transforms not just the residents who participate, but the staff who facilitate and the families who witness their loved ones rediscover joy, purpose, and expression.

At Prismatic we specialize in providing personalized consulting services related to creative aging. Our approach is holistic, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each client's unique needs and goals in the context of creative aging.

Our Philosophy

Creativity is a human right, not a privilege.

Every older adult deserves access to meaningful creative experiences, regardless of cognitive ability, physical limitations, or financial resources.

Research should inform practice.

We stay current with gerontology research and translate findings into actionable programs. Evidence matters, but so does adaptability.

Person-centered approaches work.

Every individual brings unique interests, abilities, and life experiences that should shape their creative journey.

Our Founder

Stephanie Haines

Founder and Principal Consultant

The Journey to Prismatic

I didn't set out to become a creative aging expert. My path began in arts education and teaching artistry—helping people discover their creative potential, one workshop at a time. I loved the work: watching someone's eyes light up when they realized they *could* create, seeing confidence grow through artistic expression, and building programs that made the arts accessible to everyone.

In 2021, I discovered creative aging. And everything clicked.

Suddenly, my years of arts education expertise had a new purpose: bringing meaningful creative experiences to older adults in senior living communities, memory care units, libraries, and adult day programs. I saw how art-making could transform a memory care resident's afternoon, how music could create moments of joy, how creative expression could combat isolation and spark connection.

I dove in completely. Within three years, I went from facilitating my first creative aging session to managing statewide programs exceeding $1 million in scope, training hundreds of aging services providers, and becoming a nationally recognized expert in the field. I was also honored to lead the research "Lifelong Arts Indiana," a study on the impact of creative aging program on older adults in Indiana. This landmark work marked some of the most robust creative aging evidence in a decade. That research led to building the practical guidebook "Lifelong Arts Indiana: How to plan a successful Creative Aging program."

Why I Founded Prismatic

The name "Prismatic" reflects my core belief: creativity refracts through every aspect of our lives, adding color, depth, and meaning—especially as we age. Just as a prism reveals the full spectrum of light, creative engagement reveals the full spectrum of human potential at every life stage.

I founded Prismatic because I saw a gap: I was leading some of the most groundbreaking research in creative aging in a decade, but the field was not yet prepared to activate the findings in a way that was directly impacting older adults in a day-to-day way. Activity directors wanted to do better but lacked training. Operators wanted evidence-based practices but didn't know where to start. Older adults wanted engaging experiences but often got simplified crafts.

I knew I could bridge that gap. My background gave me the tools: arts facilitation expertise, program management experience, teaching skills, and large systems thinking. My passion gave me the drive: every older adult deserves access to transformative creative experiences.

What Makes My Approach Different

I'm not a healthcare professional who dabbles in arts. I'm not an art therapist focused on clinical treatment. I'm a teaching artist and arts educator who became a creative aging specialist—bringing deep artistic expertise, pedagogical knowledge, and program management experience to the aging services field.

This means the programs I design are:

Artistically rigorous, not simplified or condescending
Truly accessible, adapted for diverse abilities without losing integrity
Meaningfully engaging, creating experiences that honor each person's creative voice
Sustainable and scalable, built with practical implementation in mind
Evidence-based, grounded in gerontology research and measurable outcomes

Beyond the Work

When I'm not designing programs or training staff, you'll find me spending time with my family, exploring Indianapolis museums, painting in my home studio, finishing the NYT games with my morning coffee, and volunteering with local arts organizations.

Let's Work Together

Whether you're leading a large senior living organization or a single community, whether you're exploring creative aging for the first time or looking to enhance existing programs, I'd love to talk.

I offer complimentary 30-minute consultations where we can discuss your goals, challenges, and vision. No pressure, no sales pitch—just a conversation about how creativity might support your community.

Ready to get started?

Credentials & Expertise:

Master's degree in Arts Administration
Bachelor's degree in Arts Education
Dementia Friends Trained (2026)
National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Creative Aging Grant Review Panelist (2025)
National Endowment for the Arts, Arts Education Grant Review Panelist (2023)
National Creative Aging Institute Presenter, "Designing for Equitable Access to Creative Aging at the State Level" (2023)
Leadership Exchange in the Arts and Disability, Conference Proposal Review Panelist (2023)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a typical engagement last?
It varies based on your needs. A basic consultation might be a few hours. A complete program development and launch typically takes 3-6 months. Some clients engage us for ongoing support over years.

Do we need prior arts experience?
Not at all. We train staff from scratch and design programs appropriate for your team's current skill level.

What if we have a limited budget?
We offer flexible engagement models. Sometimes a one-time consultation or staff training is enough to get you started. We can also help you identify grants and funding sources.

Can you work with us remotely?
Yes. While in-person is ideal for some components, we successfully work with clients nationwide through video calls, online training, and occasional site visits.

What if our program doesn't work out?
We pilot, evaluate, and adjust. Not every program succeeds immediately, and that's okay. We'll work with you to figure out what needs to change.

How do you measure success?
Success looks different for each organization. We establish clear goals upfront and select appropriate measurements—could be participation rates, quality of life scores, staff satisfaction, family feedback, or other indicators you care about.