Older Americans and the Arts: A Human Equation

GENERAL

Research Abstract
Older Americans and the Arts: A Human Equation

A chance for a lasting and meaningful relationship between the arts and the elderly became a very real possibility in the summer of 1971 when major organizational spokesmen of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Council on the Aging formed a distinguished advisory committee to explore past and current efforts in this area, and to break new ground for a cultural commitment for the future.

The prospectus that follows - Older Americans and the Arts: A Human Equation - is a distillation of the committee's findings. It reviews a representative spectrum of cultural programs being conducted for and by older people and suggests a number of new and innovative activities. Hopefully the Prospectus will serve as a catalyst to spark programs that can bring the elderly into a stimulating environment of creativity and intercommunication, thus enriching their lives.

Our basic assumption is that there is an aspect of creativity in all people and that many elderly individuals are free to draw this talent out of its dormant state, and to use it as a tool for self-fulfillment, an engrossing interest and challenge, and perhaps in some cases, as a means to significant artistic achievement. (p. 5)

CONTENTS
Statement of purpose.
National advisory committee.
Isolation of the aged.
Intent of the prospectus.
Social value of the arts.
Examples of present programs.
Suggested approaches to programming.
The human equation.
Bibliography.
Resources.
Regional offices:
     National Council on the aging.
     Administration on aging.
Directory of State agencies serving the aged.
State Arts Councils.
National Arts organizations.

A chance for a lasting and meaningful relationship between the arts and the elderly became a very real possibility in the summer of 1971 when major organizational spokesmen of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the National Council on the Aging formed a distinguished advisory committee to explore past and current efforts in this area, and to break new ground for a cultural commitment for the future. The prospectus that follows - Older Americans and the Arts: A Human Equation - is a distillation of the committee's findings.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Report
Sunderland, Jacqueline Tippett
2nd printing
64 p.
December, 1975
PUBLISHER DETAILS

The National Council on Aging
1901 L Street, NW, 4th Floor
Washington
DC, 20036
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