Opening Minds through Art (OMA)
Facilitator Training

Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program for people living with dementia.

OMA was developed by Dr. Elizabeth Lokon, a Gerontologist, at Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Ohio. OMA is an award-winning, evidence based program with international impact. People living with dementia (artists) are paired with volunteers (students, families, caregivers) who are trained to rely on imagination instead of memory and focus on remaining strengths instead of lost skills. OMA enables people living with dementia to assume new roles as artists and teachers and leave a legacy of beautiful artwork.

The Impact

Reaching Lives Through Training

OMA is now impacting lives across the globe because its brilliant methodology ensures that positive results are consistent, attainable, and meaningful wherever it is conducted. The program can be replicated by anyone seeking to bring it to a long-term care community, rehab center, adult day program, hospice, or home setting. Art for the Journey became Master Trainers, in partnership with the Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Ohio in 2018.

Become certified in OMA in 2026!

Join Art for the Journey master trainers for the next in-person certification training scheduled for February 9th through the 11th, 2026. in Richmond, Virginia.

In the works: a certification training is being planned to be held in Norfolk, Virginia in April 2026, Dates (TBD).

Who is the OMA Certification training for?

  • Best practice program that is exceptional for activities staff in long – term care
  • Art organizations implement OMA for Community outreach
  • Memory cafes through Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) are beginning to implement the award-winning program.
  • Friendship Cafes can implement OMA
  • Adult-Day Centers can implement OMA
  • Independent individuals looking to facilitate the program in expanded locations such as county libraries.
  • Home-Health Care Organizations can implement OMA one on one.
  • Academic partners who are interested in the intersection of Art and Health receive certification.
Individuals Certified
Certified OMA Sites in Virginia
APPLY to be Certified in OMA
Older Adults Reached

Become a Certified OMA Facilitator

The OMA Facilitator in-person training prepares artists, aging and healthcare professionals, activity directors, and educators to implement OMA in their communities. All lectures, materials, and hands-on practicum experiences will be provided during the three days of training, followed by a one-hour virtual Resource Session.

CEU’s: Available from NCCAP and NCCDP awarded upon completion.

At OMA Facilitator Training, you will…

  • Find out the why, what, and how of implementing the award-winning, evidence-based Scripps OMA program.
  • Engage in hands-on practicum in the roles of the OMA Volunteer, the OMA Artist, and the OMA Facilitator in collaboration with other trainees.
  • Work directly with older adults living with dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment.
  • Reflect on the OMA art-making sessions and process, and engage in practical discussions.
  • Receive the OMA Handbook containing training content, guidelines for 20 OMA-tested art activities, OMA evaluation tools, and more.
  • Receive online listing as a certified OMA site and membership benefits with Scripps OMA.
  • Learn HOW TO TRAIN YOUR VOLUNTEERS and be given all training resources.
  • Receive post-training implementation support from the OMA Trainers and the global OMA Community.

Upcoming In-person OMA Facilitator Trainings

February 9, 10, 11th Monday – Wednesday
9am – 5pm – Every Day
Resource Session: TBD
Art for the Journey Studio
Firefly Building at Shineforth in Richmond, Va 23230
Tuition: $1,000

To learn more: cindy@artforthejourney.org




APPLY for In-person certification training here

Fully on-line training is available directly through the Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Ohio. To learn more about virtual OMA Certification training go to:

www.scrippsoma.org

We support our Certified OMA Facilitators!

Already certified? Tell us how we can best support you!

OMA Facilitator Questionnaire

Thank you to the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Alzheimers Foundation of America, for supporting in part, the Art for the Journey OMA Facilitator Training helping us foster great and positive impact for many.

Three YEAR EXPANSION through MEDICAID for NURSING HOMES:

OMA Expands Across Virginia Through Government Funding

Over three years, Art for the Journey certified 81 nursing homes and 174 facilitators to implement OMA across Virginia, thanks to our partnership with LeadingAge Virginia and the DMAS CMP Reinvestment Program. In total, AFJ has certified more than 330 individuals across the US and Canada since 2017. Thank you, LeadingAge Virginia and the State of Virginia Department of Medical Assistance services for helping to impact thousands of lives of Virginia through this expansion.

Catch A Glimpse

Discover the Possibilities of Person-Centered Engagement through Art

We believe everyone, regardless of ability, can be elevated through art.

Investing in Well-Being As We Age

What is well-being? Positive psychologist, Martin Seligman, defined well-being in his famous PERMA model. According to his research, all humans need five critical components to live whole and healthy lives:

  • Positive Emotion
  • Engagement
  • Relationship
  • Meaningfulness
  • Accomplishment

This model is at the core of OMA’s brilliant methodology that harnesses strengths and centers the individual, not the illness. We witness the effectiveness of this philosophy in the lives of all program participants, regardless of their cognitive abilities.

Features of OMA Programs

Find out about the OMA programs provided by Art for the Journey.

Peer Connection

Meet and connect with like-minded professionals in the aging sector

Professional growth

Earn CEUs as an Activities Professional (NCCAP) or Dementia Practitioner (NCCDP)

Personal enrichment

Create meaningful relationships with residents, staff, & community volunteers

Witness the OMA Facilitator Experience

OMA Certification training is fun, and the program is beautiful! Join us!

Hear What Others Have to Say

  • Setting up for success

    I am so thankful to have crossed paths with OMA and Art for the Journey! I had such a blast at OMA Facilitator Training, I am inspired by all of your hard work, generosity, and kindness. Thank you for setting me up to succeed.
    Hannah Jones
    Certified OMA Facilitator

  • Thoughtfully crafted

    I was deeply moved by the community’s connections and creations. OMA is a thoughtfully crafted art program that benefits everyone involved.
    Heather N.
    OMA Volunteer

Thank you, to our wonderful partners at the Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Ohio, and Dr. Elizabeth Lokon, Founder of OMA for allowing Art for the Journey to help share this remarkable program that opens the minds and promotes well-being for all involved!

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