Arts Learning

Our seven-program series offered a unique music education opportunity for the residents of the participating senior venues. Many in our audiences told us our presentations were different from the usual fare, our programs being education-based rather than entertainment-based. The long-term association (seven monthly visits) allowed us to offer a sequential music education experience of more breadth and quality to the residents than they usually receive. We also experienced community building as people discussed their reactions to the content of our material, and in many cases introduced themselves to each other, and even rallied together for our return in the future! We assessed our outcomes through a written questionnaire distributed to the audience members as well as a different one for the Activity Directors. We received positive feedback from both, emphasizing enthusiasm especially for the learning aspect of the presentations. 2: We visited ten varied senior residences; facilities ranged in size, demographics of residents, participation of activity directors, etc. This Arts Learning grant allowed us to bring our series at no cost to the venues. There were at least two venues that definitely would not have been able to fund our visits without the 100% funding from this grant. In most venues there were wheel-chair bound, walker-users who would have had physical difficulty leaving the facility for any activity. Since all the venues were ADA compliant we know all types of needs of our audiences were accommodated. We removed all the barriers for participation in our program - We created printed programs in large-tye format, we initiated PowerPoint projections, and we used the facility's amplification when needed. Our success was confirmed by overwhelmingly positive comments and audience numbers that stayed even or increased in all facilities. All comments reflected an appreciation of our efforts.