نبذة مختصرة : The arts offer a cost effective, creative, and appealing approach to healthy aging. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the development and implementation of creative aging pilot programs led by professional teaching artists in three multipurpose senior centers. Senior centers, representing varying socio-economic populations, collaborated with teaching artists to develop programs targeting center needs. Participation was open to all senior center attendees. Data collection included field notes of each session to document activities, attendance, weekly training topics, approaches to teaching, and participant reactions. Surveys documented participant demographics, self-reported health, and satisfaction. Open-ended interviews, conducted with participants, teaching artists, and center directors, documented highlights, difficulties, and recommendations for the future. Analysis involved descriptive statistics, and two phases of qualitative coding. Thirty-five older adults participated overall. Each facility developed a unique program: 1) readers theatre, 2) choir, 3) improv. Nineteen 19 participants completed surveys and 12 were interviewed. Overall satisfaction in all programs was high. Participants appreciated the recognition and the opportunity to try something new. They expressed the desire that courses continue and performance opportunities increase. All programs were described as improving participant skills. Recommendations for future programming include: 1) demonstrate investment in participants, 2) increase instructor communication, 3) clarify recruitment messaging, and 4) assess variables targeting senior center participants. This pilot study provides a template for others seeking to increase professionally led arts-based programming for older adults. The lessons learned may reduce barriers and facilitate development and implementation in similar settings.
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