Having been a member of the 2019-2020 Aroha’ Philanthropies’ Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums cohort, Museo de Historia, Antropología, y Arte had some experience delivering remote creative aging programming when they applied for and received additional funding from Aroha to design and deliver a new, fully-online visual arts program, La Vida es un Arte 2.0, (Life is an Art Form 2.0).
Drawing on lessons learned in spring 2020 when they moved a visual arts program online due to strict COVID-19 quarantine and lockdown measures, Museo’s team planned the new offering. Delivery format, the stability of internet access, technical support, and an engaging culminating event online would all present challenges to the team. Through careful planning and continuous refinement, La Vida es un Arte 2.0 drew raves from 40 participants who learned how to draw with materials found in the home during 4 two-hour sessions each offered in September and October 2020.
Creative aging programming is distinct from other community-based learning in that it ensures that the needs of older adult learners are met, their art-making skills are developed, explored, and practiced, and community is built through the experience. Please refer to this resource as a guidepost when designing your own curriculum.
Since launching the Creative Aging 101 mini-course in April 2020, Lifetime Arts also developed a series of recommendations designed to assist teaching artists and programming organizations who are considering offering remote classes. This guide addresses topics such as: art form, class size, suggested curriculum adaptations, adult learning, synchronous vs. asynchronous delivery, technology considerations, and social engagement ideas.
When the COVID-19 crisis began, the staff at Greenwich House in New York City worked tirelessly to ensure that all of their members had access to the meal services that they absolutely rely on. However, in the midst of this lifesaving work, they also knew that they needed to think about how to keep their social, artistic, and learning programs going strong to fulfill the social and creative needs of their membership.
Greenwich House wasted no time pivoting many of their in-person programs to online delivery. Working with their teaching artists and the communications team, nearly 40 percent of their classes are now available to livestream.
