Art Project

Augustana Care Lakeside has established the following goals for this arts project: Up to 75 people who have mental/physical challenges have access to three musicians and a visual artist who invite their participation in the arts (overcoming barriers). Residents and patients at Augustana Care's Lakeside Campus in Dassel report that they experienced joy, less anxiety, and felt less pain during the arts experiences (instilling the arts into public life). Residents who participate in the painting project report that they learned new arts techniques and have a greater understanding of ways to represent landscape on canvas (supporting high-quality, age-appropriate arts education). The artists report that they were successful in engaging residents and other participants in the arts events they have presented (supporting artists in producing high-quality arts activities). The community-at-large experiences an increase in their understanding of the impact of the arts on elders (instilling the arts into public life). The staff of Augustana Care Lakeside will track attendance and interview at least 40% of the residents who attend each of the music events, if they are not able to complete the survey themselves. The staff will use a simple survey that allows for both yes/no and longer responses. Residents who participate in the painting classes will complete a survey about what they've learned from the artist, what they have produced, and what ancillary benefits (sense of calm, joy in producing something, finding a new form of expression) they experienced. The artists will complete surveys focusing on their methods of engagement, and how they adapted their performances to the needs/abilities of the residents. The campus administrator will take pictures of the events, and invite the press to attend and/or write articles that highlight these arts activities on campus.