Soup to Nuts: The Life of a Visual Arts Creative Aging Program

 
GENERAL

Research Abstract
Soup to Nuts: The Life of a Visual Arts Creative Aging Program

The emerging field of “creative aging” focuses on the positive and powerful role of the arts in enhancing the quality of life for older Americans. Instead of viewing aging as a period of decline, proponents of creative aging recognize growing older as a time of life with abundant but untapped potential for personal growth and enhanced well-being.  A landmark 2006 study by Dr. Gene Cohen, known as The Creativity and Aging Study, found true health promotion and disease prevention effects for older adults who were actively engaged in professionally conducted arts learning programs. In addition, years of MacArthur Foundation-funded research demonstrated that having a sense of purpose and maintaining good social connections are critical to good health.


While welcoming to older adults, libraries are perceived as “age neutral” which appeals to the population of older adults who do not see senior centers as a viable option. As the population ages, and especially in these difficult economic times, public libraries are faced with increased demand for more and different kinds of services. Building on this information, Lifetime Arts, Inc. has designed this program to promote creative aging, by supporting the development and implementation of instructional arts programs for older adults in public libraries.

The information contained herein is representative of the types of preparations and steps that programming librarians should consider when planning a creative aging program. Utilizing tools and protocols developed by Lifetime Arts and featuring the exemplary creative aging program, “A Village Vision: Watercolor Painting from Experience”, this section documents the process and framework for the conception, implementation, management, completion and evaluation of a successful creative aging program in a public library. [page 3]

The visual arts creative aging program referred to in this packet was collaboratively created by master teaching artist Josh Millis and the Jefferson Market Library, part of New York Public Library. Frank Collerius, Library Manager, and Corinne Neary, Senior Librarian, initiated this project in response to a privately funded opportunity through Lifetime Arts. As managers of the system wide program, Lifetime Arts provided professional development and technical assistance to interested libraries.


The elements of this proposal form the core of any proposal for a library-based creative aging program.  

Payment procedures as well as evaluation and survey instruments were specifically designed by Lifetime Arts and evaluators for this opportunity. They are presented as examples only.  [page 4]

The information contained herein is representative of the types of preparations and steps that programming librarians should consider when planning a creative aging program. Utilizing tools and protocols developed by Lifetime Arts and featuring the exemplary creative aging program, “A Village Vision: Watercolor Painting from Experience”, this section documents the process and framework for the conception, implementation, management, completion and evaluation of a successful creative aging program in a public library. [page 4]

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Report
Frank Collerius and Corinne Neary
39
2013
PUBLISHER DETAILS

Lifetime Arts
81 Centre Ave #307
New Rochelle
NY, 10801
United States
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