Arts Learning
ACHF Arts Education
90% of participants report at least two benefits from creating art (e.g., creative expression; increased skills, knowledge, confidence or appreciation). Participants will take a pre- and post-survey before and after the program to measure changes in knowledge, appreciation, skills, confidence, and creative expression in the arts. 2: 90% of participants confidently share and/or explain their work, and interpret and evaluate their and others’ artwork in a meaningful way. Program staff and teaching artists will take notes throughout the project period to document changes/progress in individual participants’ confidence and ability to perform and respond.
221 older adults and twenty preschoolers participated in 349 arts learning sessions (60-90 minutes each) in dance, visual arts, literary arts and music. We use a pre/post-activity survey asking participants to identify personal goals for participation. Options include to increase knowledge, skill or appreciation of art forms; to develop/increase creative expression and confidence; and/or to socialize or keep more physically or mentally active. Program staff assisting in sessions also keep session logs in which they (or artist) record note/observations about successes, challenges/changes needed, and notable interactions or outcomes. 2: Approximately 65% of participants were able to interpret their or others' work, fewer than we anticipated or could assess. Session log notes were the primary means of documenting outcomes around interpretative capacity. As noted, subsequent and extensive discussions with staff and teaching artists' many of whom have been Wilder and its participants a long time, suggests meaningful critique and interpretation is occurring. We are rethinking ways to better capture this (i.e., convening focus groups among participants able to verbalize experiences or having volunteers/staff implement an observational tool).
Other, local or private