Embracing Creativity and Vitality at Any Age

Summary

At the Neuberger Museum of Art, we believe that creativity knows no age limit. Located centrally on the campus plaza at Purchase College, SUNY, we are celebrating fifty years of intergenerational learning with our mission to “Champion those who make art, those who engage with art, and those who discover meaning through art.”

Background

E.A. Michelson Philanthropy Logotype in a horizontal format In 2023, we were one of twenty-five museums from across the country selected to receive generous funding from E.A. Michelson Philanthropy to pilot creative aging and vitality arts programs for adults ages 55 and better.

A view from behind two women and one man in a gallery looking at an artwork from the Romuald Hazoume exhibition Ellen Michelson (l) and András Szántós (r) of E.A. Michelson Philanthropy with Neuberger Museum of Art Director Tracy Fitzpatrick during a visit to the Neuberger in October 2023Each museum is tasked with developing and implementing art-making programs specifically designed for older adults. The programs are to connect with each institution’s unique foundation and collection while also considering the role that art museums can play in providing creative aging opportunities within their communities. Rather than one-time events, these community workshops are universally designed as an ongoing series tailored to match the strengths and contributions of the participants, rather than based on preconceived notions of their limitations and abilities.

The NEU Vitality Art Workshop Series is the cornerstone of our efforts to engage older members of our community in lifelong learning by fostering creative expression and enhancing their quality of life through art. We provide a nurturing environment and encourage participants to tap into their creativity, regardless of their previous experience with art.

Ageing is a process that we all ultimately face; however, as a society, we are more often taught to fear aging than we are to understand it in all of its remarkable complexity. The arts are, in many ways, well-equipped to support an increasingly older population that seeks creativity, vibrancy, and opportunities for self-expression.”

Drew Malmuth
Critical Perspectives
Uprooting Ageism: Shifting Our Thinking to Serve Older Adults


NEU Vitality Art Workshop (NVA) participant Arthur Fox (l) and teaching artist Benjamin Degen (r) pose with their self-portraits from the... NEU Vitality Art Workshop (NVA) participant Arthur Fox (l) and teaching artist Benjamin Degen (r) pose with their self-portraits from the Fundamentals of Painting workshop (Spring 2024)A Successful Launch
Our first two hands-on workshops, Fundamentals of Drawing and Fundamentals of Painting, were not just about learning new techniques … they were about rediscovering the joy of creating.

Teaching artist Benjamin Degen—who was every bit a partner and friend to the participants and Museum—helped us create a space where creativity and community thrive together. From the very beginning, we addressed the specific needs of individual participants, emphasizing the potential for creativity to flourish at any age or stage in life.

Fundamentals of Drawing helped participants build confidence with line, form, composition, gesture, and perspective. The success of this workshop was evident in the number of participants who signed up for subsequent workshops and became the foundation for a new, supportive community of budding artists.

Next, our Fundamentals of Painting workshop guided participants to explore color theory, brush techniques, portraiture, shadow, and light. The program fostered a holistic understanding of painting while nurturing creativity in a constructive environment.

In Degen’s words, “As we paint, we engage in a process of interdependently observing, thinking, and doing. Each mark becomes a record of our experience.”

NVA participant Alison Kellner at the Fall 2023 Culminating Event NVA participant Alison Kellner at the Fall 2023 Culminating EventThe enthusiasm and camaraderie among the participants transformed these workshops into a vibrant experience, each culminating in a final celebration where their finished works were showcased in the Museum’s Open Classroom gallery, exhibited for the campus community as well as friends and family.

NVA teaching artists Natalya Khorover (l) and Benjamin Degen (r) in the Neuberger Museum of Art NVA teaching artists Natalya Khorover (l) and Benjamin Degen (r) in the Neuberger Museum of ArtSummer Intensive Series
Underway now, our Summer Intensive Series on Collage + Mixed Media and Sculptural Assemblage provide participants with new ways to express their creativity through a variety of materials and techniques. Local mixed media artist Natalya Khorover is guiding participants in both programs on an exciting journey of artistic discovery as they explore layering textures, experiment with different media, and construct three-dimensional pieces.

NVA participant Judith Latman and friend at the Spring 2024 Culminating Event NVA participant Judith Latman and friend at the Spring 2024 Culminating EventRobust Programming for Fall 2024
The Fall workshops will be even more diverse as we introduce interdisciplinary workshops that integrate modern digital techniques with traditional art forms to foster a holistic approach to creativity.

A Hub for Multigenerational Learning
The Neuberger’s location at the heart of Purchase College and the new Broadview Senior Living community provides a unique setting for these workshops. We are a dynamic, multigenerational learning environment where the interaction between different age groups creates a rich tapestry of shared knowledge and inspiration that underscores the belief that creativity happens at any and every stage of life.

Great Experiences at the Neuberger Museum of Art The Power of Community in Creative Aging
By bringing together cohorts of diverse individuals, we create spaces where friendships are formed, ideas are exchanged, and artistic skills are nurtured. This aspect of “community” is core to our program as it not only combats social isolation but also fosters a supportive network that encourages continuous learning and growth.

I invite you to join us at the Neuberger … where creativity and vitality flourish. Be part of our vibrant community that celebrates the power of art in every phase of life.


Please reach out with any questions or for more information about our upcoming workshops and programming. I can be reached via e-mail at bliss.burrell@purchase.edu.

With my thanks and gratitude for being a part of this incredible journey.

Bliss Burrell
Associate Educator | Vitality Arts Grant Project Manager
Neuberger Museum of Art