Independent Senior Housing Community in Burbank, California
Approximately one year ago a first-of-its-kind 55-plus senior housing complex, The Burbank Senior Artists Colony, opened its doors to tenants. The $22 million concept was developed in partnership by the City of Burbank, MetaHousing Corporation, and More Than Shelter For Seniors�® (MTSFS).
There are 141 units in a four-story building above a parking garage. The garage offers secure, gated parking and the building, itself, is very secure. When you walk in the door, you’re immediately struck by the beauty of the lobby. Art is on every wall, some created by the tenants, some not, but the overall effect is beautiful.
There is, however, something special about this place, something that doesn’t exist everywhere. More Than Shelter For Seniors is in charge of the programs and the scheduling.
According to their web site, “MTSFS develops and delivers innovative on-site programs designed to improve the quality of life of thousands of residents of affordable senior housing. The goal is improved health and prolonged independence, delaying the need to move to more expensive and restrictive levels of care, providing substantial savings to state and federal tax-payer-supported funding programs, as well as to seniors’ families. MTSFS programs foster empowerment among residents-keeping them actively engaged in life, physically and mentally healthy, reinvigorated with a sense of purpose and given the opportunity to act as sages and mentors to our younger generations.” http://www.mtsfs.org/
All artists as well, some of the staff I see in the Clubhouse, the Theatre, and the hallways are:
Tim Carpenter, is Executive Director, but he is so much more than that. His office is on site at the Colony and he also offers his expertise as a teacher. His caring attitude has much to do with the success of the program.
Maureen Kellen-Taylor Ph.D., Vice President, is also on site, a teacher, and a friend to all.
Bobbee Zeno, Community Director, also on site, is teacher, friend, and fellow artist. Along with their entire support group and Board of Directors, these people put a friendly face on every program they design and deliver. It is impossible to relay the magnitude their importance.
Amenities at the community include all the usual, like a swimming pool, exercise room, and pool room; but there are so many things about the place that makes life easier for us. For instance, along the hallways there are discreet rails, and every so often a comfortable place to sit, just in case we get tired. There is a full-service laundry room on every floor, as well as a garbage chute on every floor. There are two elevators on one end of the building and one at the other end, and, like the entire facility, they have all necessary extras to service the vision impaired. Additionally, BSAC is pet friendly, because pets are so important to our sense of wellbeing.
The Clubhouse is a large community room with a full kitchen, a large plasma television, a grand piano, and lots of comfortable seating. Every Thursday morning there is a free “find out what happened this week” breakfast to introduce new tenants and have some nice time together and talk about up-coming events, and there are many.
Most of the programs are offered at no cost to the residents and range from Creative Writing, to Yoga, Poetry Reading, Life Drawing, Musical Jam Sessions, Guided Meditation, Acting Classes, and the list goes on. The programs are structured to nurture and encourage our creative sides. As we all know, artists fall under many categories and the Burbank Senior Artists Colony enfolds us all.
Musicians and Actors:
The BSAC is full of working musicians of all types, and in addition to that wonderful grand piano in the Clubhouse, there is a 45-seat proscenium theatre. Here the musicians and actors can perform, and those whose talents lie in other directions can be entertained.
Visual Artists:
The senior fine arts collective, called The Gallery Within, had its first open showing at the Colony on April 22 and 23, 2006. Some of the working artists who live and continue to produce here are famous, some not so famous, and some are only beginners. The beauty of The Burbank Senior Artists Colony is that the people who live here are encouraged to create on every level.
Filmmakers:
There is a Digital Video editing bay (IMAC using IMovie) and classes to show us how to use the tools. Not only that, but as part of the editing classes, there is a senior independent film company with which the group is creating films from casting to shooting to editing to showing.
Writers:
Not only do we write and publish, but one of our tenants has written a screenplay, which is being cast in house, shot in house, edited in house and will be entered in the Sundance Film Festival in Fall 2006.
Computer Gurus:
For those whose talents lie in the computer area, the technology center has a large conference table and four state-of-the-art personal computers. There are two printers and broadband for surfing the internet. I didn’t get to design and build the website, but I wish I had, because it’s beautiful. Feel free to visit:
http://www.seniorartistscolony.com/
We are an award-winning community:
2006
Burbank Senior Artists Colony
NAHB’s Gold Award – Clubhouses – Small (Up to 6,000 sq. ft.)
NAHB’s Gold Award – Multifamily Housing: Overall Community – Rental Apartments
NAHB’s Silver Award – Active Adult Housing: Condominium Community (Any Size)
2005
Burbank
Senior Artists Colony
SAGE Awards – Project of the Year
2003
Burbank Senior Artists Colony was the Gold Medal Winner for The Best of Seniors Housing (“On the Boards” Service Enriched Housing), an award given by the National Association of Home Builders and the National Council on Seniors’ Housing.”
If you are 55 or older and an artist at heart or in practice who has been wondering where you belong, come to
Burbank, and see us at the Burbank Senior Artists Colony,
240 E. Verdugo Avenue
.
