Author: Hoffman, Donald H.

Publication Year: 1979

Media Type: Report

Summary:

Today - on the local level - arts programs designed for older individuals can be organized through existing delivery systems similar to those operating in the days of WPA. A variety of such systems are available, namely, continuing education programs; county extension programs, recreation programs; community arts agencies, organizations, and centers; regional planning commissions; adult education offerings; museum education opportunities; mature-student programs; nutrition centers; and area agencies on aging. Each of these systems has been developed to enable its staff to reach particular constituencies and is people or service oriented. Clearly, arts programmers have many opportunities to develop innovative theatre, music, dance or visual arts programs.

Abstract:

Today - on the local level - arts programs designed for older individuals can be organized through existing delivery systems similar to those operating in the days of WPA. A variety of such systems are available, namely, continuing education programs; county extension programs, recreation programs; community arts agencies, organizations, and centers; regional planning commissions; adult education offerings; museum education opportunities; mature-student programs; nutrition centers; and area agencies on aging. Each of these systems has been developed to enable its staff to reach particular constituencies and is people or service oriented. Clearly, arts programmers have many opportunities to develop innovative theatre, music, dance or visual arts programs.

Some of these agencies already offer specialized arts courses and workshops to older persons; however, if they are not able to design programs specifically for older persons, they do offer access to more broadly based activities designed for the entire community.

Older persons, as well as youth, can enjoy arts activities. In fact, these activities can serve a distinct and important purpose by providing enjoyment. More importantly, though, the arts can also serve as a surrogate role by providing opportunities for creative thinking and decision-making for persons now removed from the decision-making process because of age. Moreover, through the formulation of group activities such as classes or workshops, older persons can develop new social roles. Notwithstanding, many elderly individuals have poor attitudes toward the arts, low-level awareness and self-concept, or special problems that necessitate unique approaches or activities and therefore cannot successfully attend, or relate, to community arts functions or classes in their present form. Arts programs must be designed with the special needs of older individuals in mind.

CONTENTS
1. Society and the Arts in the lives of the elderly.

Mature-student programs.
On-campus continuing education.
Senior centers, nutrition sites and congregate-housing areas.
Museums.
County extension programs.
Regional planning centers.
Adult education programs.
Recreation programs.
Aging and the pursuit of arts activities.

2. Organizing and developing a program.

Needs assessment and goal setting.
Need for data.
Data-gathering.
Goal determination.
Planning and implementation.
Staff development.
Search for funding and support.
Developing an audience.
Delivery system.
Transportation.
Physical space.
Evaluation.

3. Programs in the arts.

Theatre.
Visual arts.
Photography and filmmaking.
Drawing and painting.
Music.
Dance.
Creative writing.

4. Training personnel for work with the elderly and the arts.

Who should teach the arts to older persons.
Levels of experience.
Developing a training program.
The future is old!

References.

Appendixes:
     A. Older Americans' interest questionnaire. 

     B. Typical survey instrument. 
              1. Use of leisure time.
              2. Previous arts involvement.
              3. Interest assessment.
              4. Presentation techniques.
              5. Previous educational attainment.
              6. Art attitudes.

     C. Elderly arts programming questionnaire.

     D. Administrative instrument.
              1. Organizational guide. 
              2. Workshop-development tasks.
              3. Evaluation guide.

     E. The elderly and the arts (special project assignment) Cultural arts self-helper
         (CASH).
              Course 1: What is cultural arts?
              Course 2: The visual arts. 
              Course 3. The performing arts.
              Course 4. Crafts/heritage.
              Course 5. Contemporary trends and issues in the arts.

     F. Recommended arts library for senior centers and other meeting places for the
         elderly.
              1. Ceramics and mosaics.
              2. General crafts.
              3. Drawing, printmaking and painting.
              4. Creative writing, theatre/stage crafts and filmmaking.
              5. History of the visual arts and archicture.
              6. General - leisure, recreation and arts.
              7. Music.
              8. Weaving and fabric decoration.

     G. The arts for rural and isolated elderly: A training session for art educators.

     H. List of suppliers of visual arts material.

      I. List of state agencies.
              1. State arts agencies.
              2. State aging agencies.

Arts & Intersections:

Categories: Accessibility, Access and Equity