One of the many lessons we learned from the pandemic is that remote/virtual programming is a viable (and likely ongoing) method for program delivery. Whether offered onsite or remotely, all successful creative aging programs have something in common: they are responsive to the communities they serve.
By listening and learning, teaching artists and arts organization staff across the country are implementing inclusive programs where all older adults can build lasting friendships and create honest and meaningful art.
As restrictions lifted in many parts of the U.S., many of the programs that we support resumed activity this spring. Learn how our program partners have responded to meet the needs of the older adults they aim to serve.
Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums
This spring, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Tucson offered the intergenerational LGBTQIA+ program, “Stay Gold,” as part of Aroha Philanthropies’ Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums initiative. During the program, participants examined personal and communal histories of queerness as they relate to time, place and systems of power. Inspired by artist Rafa Esparza’s work, their projects displayed various aspects of their origins, identities, histories, hopes, fears, relationships and joys using textures, materials and color.
“‘Stay Gold’ has been an important program in our lives over the past several years, but especially during this past year, when our isolation and disconnection has increased exponentially. Despite the hurdles, we have been able to face them with empathy and care as a group of people with shared lived experiences. I am grateful for the opportunity to work, learn and grow alongside such a supportive and grounding community.”
ELI BURKE, EDUCATION DIRECTOR AT MOCA TUCSON
Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums Arts Organization Cohort Activity Spring 2021
Other organizations in the cohort also offered both virtual and in-person programs depending on the artform and level of safety that facilities could support. Here’s a breakdown of spring 2021 Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums programming.
| Programming Organization | Artform | Format | Status |
| Museo de Historia, Antropología y Arte, PR | Self Portrait/Mixed Media | Virtual | Complete |
| National Museum of Mexican Art, IL | Mexican Folkloric Dance | Virtual | Complete |
| Olana State Historic Site, NY | Painting/Watercolor | In-person | Complete |
| Union County Historical Society & Heritage Museum, PA | Ceramics | Virtual | Complete |
| Heard Museum, AZ | Painting/Collage | Virtual | Complete |
| Anchorage Museum Association, AK | Memoir/Poetry | Virtual | Complete |
| Albuquerque Museum Foundation, NM | Portrait Drawing | Virtual | In-progress |
| Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance, IL | Poetry/Visual Arts | Virtual | In-progress |
| Naples Botanical Garden, FL | Nature Journaling | Virtual | In-progress |
| Neon Museum, PA | Storytelling | Virtual | In-progress |
| Ohio History Connection, OH | African-Inspired Beading & Jewelry Making | In-person | In-progress |
| The Louisiana State Museum, LA | Hand-sewn Beading | In-person | In-progress |
| Contemporary Craft, CA | Bookmaking | Virtual | In-progress |
Catalyzing Creative Aging
Along with the rest of their fellow Catalyzing Creative Aging cohort members, The Union for Contemporary Art Co-Op Studios in Omaha, NE, received a grant from the National Guild for Community Arts Education to support programming originally scheduled for 2020. Due to the pandemic, their ceramics program, “Senior Studios: Community and Artmaking,” didn’t kick off until April 2021. During this 8-week workshop, older adults in North Omaha attended classes in a socially-distanced classroom at a local senior center, while Sarah Hummel Jones, Union’s Studios Manager, taught basic hand-building clay techniques via Zoom. This dual-site, live, and remote approach allowed the participants to have the materials, facilities, and space that they needed to learn safely.
LGBT+ Older Adult Choir “Lift Their Voice” Amidst the Challenges of Social Isolation
This spring, the New England Conservatory of Music partnered with Neighborhood Rocks and the LGBTQ Aging Project at Fenway Health to create, “Neighborhood Rocks @Fenway Virtual Choir,” a virtual community chorus offered exclusively to LGBTQ+ older adults. During this program, 25 older adults joined weekly rehearsals from their households to explore two-part singing, breathwork, and vocal exercises led by instructors Krissy Skare and Michael Glashow, the co-founders of Neighborhood Rocks. Krissy and Michael have been leading community choruses in Boston since 2015, and have held over 60 Zoom rehearsals for choirs during the pandemic.
“The timing of this new project couldn’t be better. It comes at a time when our community of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors are facing a very challenging time with the fears around COVID-19 and the imposed social isolation. Our clients are being given an opportunity to lift their voice and sing virtually in the middle of this isolation — something that could not have been possible just a few years ago.”
BOB LINSCOTT, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT LGBT AGING PROJECT
Catalyzing Creative Aging Arts Organization Cohort Activity Spring 2021
Other organizations in the cohort also offered both virtual and in-person programs depending on the artform and level of safety that facilities could support. Here’s a breakdown of spring 2021 Catalyzing Creative Aging programming.
| Programming Organization | Artform | Format | Status |
| The Union for Contemporary Art, NE | Ceramics | Virtual | Complete |
| Rockland Conservatory of Music, NY | Songwriting | Virtual | Complete |
| Bishop Arts Theatre Center, TX | Theatre | In-person | Complete |
| Healthy Living OKC, OK | Maskmaking | In-person | Complete |
| Ping Chong + Company, NY | Memoir | Virtual | Complete |
| Austin Soundwaves, TX | Mariachi | In-person | Complete |
| Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, NY | Flamenco | Virtual | Complete |
| New England Conservatory CE, MA | Chorus | Virtual | In-progress |
| Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, NH | Drumming | Blended | In-progress |
| The Clay Studio, PA | Ceramics | In-person | In-progress |
| Sonoran Glass School, AZ | Glass | In-person | In-progress |
| The Legacy Arts Project, PA | Poetry/Visual Arts | Virtual | In-progress |
Working with Resilient and Committed Cohorts
“Often when we discuss the concepts of creative aging and the development of responsive programming for older adults, we talk about the need for flexibility and adaptation in order to respond to the goals of the people in the room, and focus the learning to best serve them,” said Nathan Majoros, Deputy Director for Programming & Operations. “These cohorts applied those lessons in full by adapting their plans, being flexible in entering new arenas, and creating new partnerships. I am encouraged by their determination.”
David Woehr, our program manager added: “When we started reaching out to organizations about resuming their programming, I had concerns about how many of them would have the capacity (or interest) to do this work a full year after the training. Most of them jumped at the opportunity, resurrecting old plans, seeking out new partnerships, adapting to remote learning platforms, and sometimes starting entirely from scratch. Now, as these programs begin to wrap up, it’s been incredibly gratifying to hear how meaningful these classes have been to the older adults they’ve served.”
The New York State Creative Aging Initiative
In May, the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services kicked off the virtual memoir writing program, “Into the Wild: A Memoir Class by Lifetime Arts,” as part of the New York State Creative Aging Initiative. This 6-week virtual workshop, taught by teaching artist Robin Bady, encourages 12 older adults to explore their writing and storytelling abilities through memories. The program will culminate in a virtual “Story Salon” event where friends and family are invited to hear the participants read their memoir-inspired stories.
“The participants are taking risks and going deep, trusting themselves and each other. Their writing is honest, strong, and heartfelt; the conversation thoughtful and supportive. It is indeed a privilege to work with them, and I am excited for what the next weeks will bring.”
ROBIN BADY, TEACHING ARTIST
Lifetime Arts is working with a total of 7 New York area agencies on aging, 6 of whom will implement their programs this summer. The next two programs will be offered by the Saratoga County Office for the Aging and the Essex County Office for the Aging in July. To learn more, visit New York State Creative Aging Initiative.
Creative Aging in Wyoming Public Libraries Initiative
“Introduction to Sketching and Art Journaling”
In May, the Uinta County Library System kicked off the in-person visual arts program, “Introduction to Sketching and Art Journaling,” as part of the Creative Aging in Wyoming Public Libraries Initiative. This 6-week course taught older adults drawing skills and techniques to create sketches and collage with personal meaning to them. In July, the program will culminate with an exhibit featuring student work at the library. The library will also showcase participant work in in online exhibit on their website.
Lifetime Arts is working with a total of 15 regional library systems as part of this initiative. The next two programs will be offered by the Sublette County Library System and the Natrona County Library System in July.
