Maura O’Malley

Lifetime Arts, Inc. — Pelham, New York

Stacey Colino,

AARP

Comments

Published September 26, 2023

Photo by Stephen Voss

I cofounded Lifetime Arts in 2008 to support creative aging by promoting the inclusion of arts learning programs in organizations that serve older adults. By preparing teaching artists to work with older learners, and by fostering lifelong learning opportunities through the arts in community programs, we aim to shift cultural views about aging. Since then, we have supported more than 850 creative aging programs in 42 states and the demand continues to increase. In 2023 alone, we are working with 25 art museums and 65 public libraries across the U.S.

The problem I’m trying to solve

Nationally, we are experiencing a permanent demographic shift toward an older population. Government, social service, arts and community agencies acknowledge that they need help improving services and programming for older adults. The biggest obstacle is systemic ageism. There’s also insufficient information about longevity and aging, and a lack of appropriate, responsive arts programming for older adults that engages older adult learners.

Older adults are especially at risk for social isolation. Creative aging programs intrinsically provide a strong foundation for social relationships and they focus on the powerful role of arts engagement in enhancing quality of life for older adults. We’re talking about all arts disciplines, not just the visual. Some of our programs include performance art, dance, music, storytelling, creative writing and more.

When offered these opportunities for continued learning, older adults are serious about it. They know how to learn and they want to learn. They come to this with an attitude of “If not now, when?” We’ve had people in programs from the ages of 55 to 105.

The moment that sparked my passion

When I was in my 40s, I was a professional arts administrator and raising a family, and I became a caregiver for an elderly aunt who was smart, creative and energetic. That’s when I began to see the disconnect between the availability of thoughtful, well-designed services for older adults and who people are as humans. I saw how degrading “senior” services and institutions were toward older adults and how they isolated people from their core experiences as individuals with a history and a life fully lived.

I began to think about what I could do to help preserve vitality and joy, not only for myself as I got older but for others. I felt the need to connect what I had learned through my caregiving experience with what I knew about the benefits of arts education. In 2003, Ed Friedman, a fellow arts administrator in New York, and I learned about the emerging field of creative aging, which promotes arts engagement to support healthy aging. We saw the need for a new approach to programming for older adults, so in 2008, with little income and no staff, we cofounded Lifetime Arts.

What I wish other people knew

I wish other people knew that aging can be a joyful experience, and that engagement in the arts is good for everybody. Art-making and human expression are part of our natures; this isn’t something that’s relegated to the elite, trained people of the world. No prior experience in the arts is necessary to learn. I also want people to know that the social engagement in coming together as learners and community is beneficial.

Why my approach is unique

It’s a cross-sector approach, where we build networks with community, arts, social service and government leaders who understand the value of arts education for older adults and work together to design and deliver sustainable, effective programs in their communities.

We built Lifetime Arts as a service program, not as a curriculum. We don’t sell programs — we provide templates and tools to help organizations identify who’s likely to be in their classrooms and what they want, and we coach host organizations and train teaching artists, online or in person.

It’s about helping other organizations — including public libraries, museums, community organizations and care institutions — effect change locally. We’re ensuring these programs are flexible and cater to their communities of older adults. A program in Brooklyn is not going to be the same as a program in Laramie, Wyoming.

The benefits of this work are numerous. Older adult participants find new purpose, new friends and lasting skills. Organizations expand their reach, add innovative programs and develop new partners. And teaching artists gain employment opportunities and contribute to the well-being of older adults.

Advice to others who want to make a difference

My advice is to take a chance and assume positivity — that your ideas have validity, that there’s value in your thinking. It’s important to ask questions and dig deep on the issue you want to address. If you don’t start the conversation, things won’t get talked about.

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Stacey Colino is an award-winning writer, specializing in health, psychology and science. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, Prevention, Newsweek, Parade and many other national magazines.