Art Education and Creative Aging: Older Adults as Learners, Makers, and Teachers of Art

The book explores how art education can meet the needs of older adults as learners, makers, and teachers of art in formal and informal settings. It combines perspectives of museum educators, teacher preparation professors, art therapists, teaching artists, and older artists on creative aging and the ways art education can support the health and well-being of this population. Chapters are organized into five sections: creatively aging, meeting older adults' unique needs, intergenerational art education, engaging older adults with artworks and objects, and in our own voices: older adults as learners, makers, and teachers. The final section focuses on accounts from older adult artists/educators, offering insights and proposing new directions for growing older creatively.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This text delves into the profound ways in which art education can cater to the unique needs of older adults as learners, makers, and teachers of art in both formal and informal settings. It brings together a diverse range of perspectives, including museum educators, teacher preparation professors, art therapists, teaching artists, and older artists, to explore the concept of "Creative Aging" and its potential to enhance the health and well-being of this population.

The book is organized into five comprehensive sections:

Creatively Aging: This section examines the transformative power of art in promoting lifelong creativity and well-being among older adults. Contributors explore themes such as memory loss, disability, coping with life transitions, lifelong learning, intergenerational relationships, and personal narrative, highlighting how art education can address these challenges and foster a sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Meeting Older Adults Unique Needs: Recognizing the diverse needs of older adults, this section explores how art education can be tailored to meet their specific requirements. Contributors discuss strategies for adapting teaching methods, materials, and activities to accommodate physical limitations, cognitive impairments, and cultural backgrounds, ensuring that art education remains accessible and inclusive.

Intergenerational Art Education: Recognizing the value of intergenerational relationships, this section explores how art education can foster connections and understanding between older adults and younger generations. Contributors discuss the benefits of intergenerational art projects, such as collaborative art-making, storytelling, and cultural exchange, and propose ways to create inclusive and enriching art experiences for all participants.

Engaging Older Adults With Artworks and Objects: This section explores the power of art to engage and stimulate older adults' minds and bodies. Contributors discuss the use of art as a tool for memory retention, cognitive stimulation, and physical rehabilitation, highlighting how art education can enhance the quality of life for older adults by promoting cognitive and physical well-being.

In Our Own Voices: Older Adults as Learners, Makers, and Teachers: This final section features accounts from older adult artists/educators who share their experiences and insights into the benefits of participating in art education. Contributors offer valuable perspectives on the role of older adults as learners, makers, and teachers, proposing new directions for growing older creatively and contributing to the arts community.

While this book is primarily intended for art education faculty and students in graduate and undergraduate settings, as well as art education scholars and those teaching in multigenerational programs within community settings, it is an expansive resource for any artist, student, or scholar interested in the links between health, well-being, and arts participation for older adults.

Through its comprehensive exploration of the field, this text provides valuable insights and practical strategies for educators, artists, and policymakers seeking to enhance the lives of older adults through art education. By recognizing the unique strengths and contributions of this population, we can create a more inclusive and vibrant arts community for all ages.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 252 x 179 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032604534