Art for Life with the Minnesota Creative Arts & Aging Network (MnCAAN)
Older adult residents of Twin-Cities area care centers participate in a three-day arts residency. This two-year collaboration is most likely the only opportunity this audience has to participate in activities funded through Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. MELSA library systems referred care centers where libraries have outreach relationships or a desire to establish relationships. Library staff connected with care center staff and residents regarding library services during the three-day arts residencies and trainings.
MELSA contracted with MnCAAN to coordinate the trainings and arts residencies and collaborated with COMPAS to assemble a roster of 10 teaching artists experienced in working with older adults. The care center staff selects an option suitable for their residents (storytelling, songwriting, dance, creative writing, ceramics, painting, collage). Care center staff, volunteers and interns participate in a training prior to the arts residency. MnCAAN recruits teaching artist interns to learn techniques of working with older adults by assisting the teaching artist.
Total Number of Programs Held: 3 arts residencies, 3 trainings
Total Attendance: 84 elders in arts residencies, 30 staff and volunteers in trainings
Organizational Partnerships: Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN) and COMPAS (subcontractor)
The Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network (MnCAAN) is collaborating with MELSA to provide three-day arts residencies at 23 senior care centers in the metro area. MELSA library systems referred care centers where libraries have outreach relationships or a desire to establish relationships. MnCAAN assembled a roster of 10 teaching artists who have experience teaching older adults. Artist interns assist with the residencies and gain experience working with older adults. The care center staff selects an option suitable for their residents (storytelling, songwriting, dance/movement, creative writing, ceramics, painting). Library staff connects with care center staff regarding library services. Art residencies conclude with an event for participants, families and in some cases the public. According to care center staff this is most likely the only opportunity their residents have to participate in Legacy-funded programming.
The first residency, a songwriting “arts camp” with Charlie Maguire, took place in June 2010 at Comforts of Home in White Bear Lake. The oldest participant was 106!
St. Gertrude's Health and Rehabilitation Center staff and residents in Shakopee participated in a Residency in Arts program on Friday, June 25, 2010. The participants paid "Homage to the Library" in creative movement with artist Ann-Marie Lousine-Thomsen.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, post-test; End user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status