The Transformational Power of Arts in Aging

On Thursday, January 31, Lifetime Arts presented to over 70 social workers, senior center program coordinators, directors, arts therapists, advocates, and other senior staff interested in bringing high quality arts programs to the older adult constituency at Live On's 29th Annual Conference and Vendor Expo. The Creative Aging Lifelong Learning Model (registration-based, sequential art workshop sessions that build skills over time) was new to many people and the group had several questions about how to implement programming and finance these high-quality workshops. Our session also addressed ageism and how that the culture in which we live -- and how we feel, personally, about aging and older adults -- can influence how we might design programs for them. Together we examined ageist stereotypes and encouraged the audience to investigate how ageism might play a part in their own work. Everyone was engaged, thoughtful, and inquisitive in this process. Several people commented how this made them see the capacity of older adults and what they can do in a whole new way.

As usual, our time was too short and we only scratched the service with a 90-minute session to cover so much in so little time. However, we left feeling elated at the excitement of the crowd, their tangible need and interest to learn more, and their willingness to explore Creative Aging opportunities in their own communities.