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Museums and Aging
Fighting ageism and promoting lifelong learning and creativity.
Get Out of Town: Travel programs for creative agers
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” – Mark Twain An increasing number of museums are …
Sofa So Good: A word on behalf of older folks
I don’t know about you, but a career in museums has made it very difficult for me to be a satisfied museum visitor. I find that I am always peering into “how the sausage is made,” as it …
What Can a “Manifesto Against Ageism” Teach Museums?
Prior to the publication of Ashton Applewhite’s “manifesto against ageism,” This Chair Rocks, one reviewer proclaimed that the book would do for our society’s view of aging what Rachel …
Creative Aging Reading List, Part Two: But wait, there’s more!
As the Aroha Fellowship for Museums and Creative Aging progresses, one of the delights is receiving notes from blog readers. A number of colleagues have sent further reading ideas for my …
Creating Vibrant Programs for Older Adults
It is a particular pleasure to hear from kindred spirits in creative aging who have been keeping up with our Ad Summa blogs. One such person is the indefatigable Delano Wood from DOROT in …
We, the Aged, Are an Integral Part of the Community
In April, while on a visit to New Zealand, I convened seven highly-respected Kiwi colleagues in Wellington to discuss creative aging. I asked two questions of the participants: How might …
Toward a National Convening on Museums and Creative Aging
Here are a few facts, to put you in the frame of mind to think (hard) on the power of aging creatively and the rich opportunities we have in museums to redouble our efforts to engage older …
More Evidence for the Power of Creative Aging
One of the most fruitful areas of the creative aging movement is the one that explores the arts and aging. The evidence for the positive effects of arts on wellbeing is mounting rapidly …
A Reading List on Creative Aging
I once had the privilege of interviewing Frank Oppenheimer, the founder of the Exploratorium in San Francisco. I asked him why he had created the museum, and he answered: “Both my brother …
An Intergenerational “School of Drag” Connects LGBTQIA+ Youth and Elders
Last year, 20 organizations enrolled in a special museum cohort of Aroha Philanthropies’ Seeding Vitality Arts program. With funding from Aroha, and training provided by Lifetime …
Ageism is All Around Us
Greetings! This is my second blog as Aroha Fellow for Museums and Creative Aging, and I begin by reiterating my invitation to meet colleagues who share an interest in creative aging during …
Join the Conversation on Museums and Creative Aging
Calling all kindred spirits! Museums and the field of “creative aging” have a wonderful future together. As Aroha Fellow for Museums and Creative Aging for the next two years, I …