THE POWER OF ART

"We're always doing or planning some kind of arts project, because we believe in the power of art to make a positive difference in people's lives," says Mary Ann Schoenberger, director of Volunteers of America's Southwest Senior Center in Minneapolis. Recent Southwest Senior Center-driven projects include intergenerational dance, multicultural mask-making and storytelling, and workshops for learning artistic techniques such as papermaking and print-making. Schoenberger says that the Center's arts projects are intended to provide mental as well as physical benefits to participants: "There is overwhelming medical and scientific evidence that seniors who get involved in creative activities maintain and improve brain function. Our arts programs also help make connections between people. They provide ways for participants to join with others, and to be less isolated."

A Lot to Share
"Seniors have a lot to share, and these arts projects are a direct way of valuing and enabling that. It's fun for seniors to explore new things, to do things in a different way than they normally do."

Arts projects can also help break down the language barriers that immigrant groups often encounter, and can help erase stigmas and stereotypes that immigrant groups are often subject to.

The Center's arts projects are typically funded by grants, with smaller, supporting amounts provided through the Center's budget. Schoenberger says grant sources can vary widely, but recent funders include the city of Minneapolis, COMPAS, and the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.

Who's the Audience?
For some of the Center's arts projects, its day elder programs provide a built-in audience. Other projects involve collaborations with service organizations, or with schools. Yet other projects are done on a community-wide basis, where participation by the larger public is encouraged and promoted.

Acquiring Artists
Because the Center has done lots of arts projects, Schoenberger says that identifying and recruiting artist participants is not overly daunting: "We have lots of good connections with artists from throughout the Twin Cities metro area and beyond, so we have lots of resources at hand when it comes to obtaining the specific creative talent we need for a given project."

Even More Benefits
"There are so many highlights to doing these arts projects," Schoenberger says. "When we did our multicultural mask-making project, the participants got such a kick out of seeing their work displayed at Sumner Library in Minneapolis. When we did a dance exchange with students at Barton Open School in Minneapolis, it was neat to see how the different generations reacted to, and interacted with, each other. It also broke through some of the stereotypes that the younger generation tends to have about seniors."

"Getting to know each other is also very enriching. And getting to know the artist, to have a creative relationship with the artist, is another plus for participants."

Schoenberger says that the biggest challenge in developing and conducting the Center's arts programs is funding: "We've generally been successful in obtaining funding for our various arts projects, but it's never a sure thing. Even when you're sure you've written the best grant request ever, you can still get turned down."

What's Next
The Center plans to keep developing and conducting arts projects; one such endeavor will involve the creation of a mosaic mural on the Center's parking lot wall. The Center, which is located at 3612 Bryant avenue South in Minneapolis, will be partnering on the project with the Barton Open School and with neighborhood associations, and is enlisting the creative services of Maria Ricke and her company, Mosaic on a Stick. Schoenberger says people of all ages from the surrounding community will be invited to join the mural-making project.