One of the most powerful purposes, components, of the Piedmont Triad Initiative for Community Arts is the connection between art and civic engagement. Our two presenters embodied it: professionally and personally. The whole day conveyed powerfully the potential, the ability, of art to change our communities in many ways, whether it is by changing us, our attitudes and actions, or by changing the system. Now, almost by accident, I’ve learned we here at creativeaging are not alone in seeing a natural connection between elders and civic engagement. Now civic engagement might not easily trip off your tongue but in this case it is defined as “Late life civic engagement encompasses actions wherein older adults participate in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community” (ASA). And one of the most dynamic professional associations for seniors and professionals who work with them has an initiative to promote and encourage this movement. Their national conference will include a special focus on it next March. Let’s All Get Going and Make a Difference!
Archive for the 'community arts' Category
Civic Engagement with Older Adults? Yes!
Posted by creativeaging on December 3, 2007
Posted in aging, art, community arts | Tagged: Piedmont Triad Initative for Community Arts, civic engagement, Animating Democracy, American Society on Aging | No Comments »
The community and me
Posted by creativeaging on November 18, 2007
Went to a dynamite conference this week on the power of art to address social and community problems. Great presenters brought our attention to many different ways art can make people change. But two thoughts kept ringing in my head: I don’t believe aging, especially creative aging, is a problem. If so, why I am sitting there spell-bound, exhilarated, and exhausted? Am I there because our society, our community sees aging as a problem? Possibly. Am I there because I believe in the power of art? Definitely. But then the second question chimes in: if art is so powerful, what is creativity? Is creativity as powerful? Or is creativity as a label a cop-out by those (including myself) who are uncomfortable with the social pressure, the judging seemingly inherent, in art.
Posted in community arts, creativity | Tagged: art, Piedmont Triad Initiative for Community Arts | No Comments »