Creative Aging was funded by a grant through the MetLife Foundation with a primary goal to provide professionally conducted, collaboratively planned instructional arts programs for older adults. The most difficult challenge was selecting only six out of our 27 locations to host programs solely for our senior customers. During this process the library endeavored to select locations that were geographically diverse and were commonly frequented by senior customers. This was an opportunity to build the capacity of the library and their community arts and aging partners to initiate, plan, deliver and sustain effective creative aging programs through professional development, technical assistance and access to support materials and art resources. This also established the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with area senior community centers, as well as religious and civic organizations. Prior to being awarded this grant we had not placed any emphasis on programs for seniors but once we started we were overwhelmed by the interest both by service providers as well as participants. The Creative Aging program elevated our awareness and led us down a new path.

Choosing Locations The process began with a discussion between the Dallas Public Library Administrator of Adult Programs and the library’s District and Branch Managers to discuss the strategy behind the selected locations. We endeavored to serve all seven districts while at the same time focusing on locations with the building capability to hold a weekly workshop series. We were on target in five of the six locations and were able to engage the community; one location did not find success so we quickly relocated to another branch to continue the pilot program. Selecting Programs A diverse selection of art programs that would reach and connect with the individual communities of each branch was the goal. It was critical to receive input and feedback from the seniors in each neighborhood to determine the program type by conducting a survey that included a list of potential ideas in various art disciplines from which to choose. This would enable us to provide programs specific to each branch and their communities based on the information provided on the survey. The next step was to identify and contact potential teaching artists as partners through Lifetime Arts’ Creative Aging Roster and other local art resources. The selected teaching artist was responsible for meeting with branch staff to develop a proposal that would include an eight week workshop series of instruction, a course description and outline, dates, times and budget. It was important that each artist was not only qualified to conduct the workshops but that they were a good match for the groups they would instruct. Once artists were selected and proposals approved by Lifetime Arts Inc., the workshops began.

The workshops ranged from acting out scenes from Shakespeare at the Skillman Southwestern Branch, to Voices from the Soul senior choir at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch. The Renner Frankford Branch had Seascape Painting and at Highland Hills seniors learned Family Storytelling skills. The Hampton-Illinois Branch hosted Cultural Dance and amazing jewelry was created at the Prairie Creek Branch. Each workshop was required to recruit a minimum of 10 participants but all far exceeded those numbers. The Adult Programs Administrator was responsible for conducting site visits to monitor progress, address any concerns and provide guidance and support to both teaching artists and staff. Each location hosted a final presentation or performance to mark the end of their project. All received an overwhelming response from the community and attendance was standing-room-only at many closing events. The staff developed new relationships within the arts community and learned new strategies for recruiting aging adults. The participants learned new creative skills or reconnected with past interests while making new social connections. The Creative Aging program not only sparks creativity and vitality, but also helps to combat reclusiveness. Participating art instructors gained a new found appreciation for senior citizens. While funding for this ended from MetLife, many branch friends groups are now supporting these programs so they may continue. The library has also applied for a grant with a local foundation to expand this program to more of our branch locations.