Exploring the Impact: An Evaluator’s Perspective on Creative Aging Tennessee III
From Tennessee Arts Commission –
The Tennessee Arts Commission (TAC) is dedicated to expanding access to the arts across the state, and the Creative Aging Tennessee III (CAT III) project is a key initiative focusing on providing this programming to older adults. Funded by a generous grant from E.A. Michelson Philanthropy in partnership with the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, and state funding, CAT III’s purpose is to expand arts programming specifically for older adult with limited access to the arts and to provide training for Tennessee-based artists in teaching these populations.
Playing a crucial role in understanding the impact of this initiative is Anna Robison, a graduate student from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), who documented and evaluated the project. Anna is currently finishing her master’s degree in applied research and methods in psychology at MTSU and is set to pursue a Ph.D. in Aging Studies at the University of South Florida (USF) in the fall. Her background includes undergraduate degrees in psychology and sociology, and she was drawn to the Creative Aging internship due to her existing interest in working with older adults and a fascination with the arts. Having prior knowledge of the benefits arts can offer older adults, Anna was eager to explore the project’s impact at both the individual and community levels.
During her work on the CAT III project, Anna had the opportunity to interact with teaching artists and participants from various backgrounds in different art forms. She particularly enjoyed meeting participants and hearing directly about the benefits they experienced. Anna noted being surprised by the significant excitement and eagerness most of these older adults expressed for the art classes. Some shared that they had long desired to participate in the arts and were finally able to seize the opportunity through this program.
A central focus of Anna’s experience was uncovering the meaningful impact the classes had on participants’ lives. She commonly heard how the arts classes provided support through various psychological symptoms, such as grief, social isolation, depression, PTSD, or general life stressors. This resonated deeply with Anna’s passion for mental health advocacy, especially concerning older adults, and she found it immensely rewarding to see the programs positively influence the quality of life for these individuals.
Participants themselves voiced the profound effects of their involvement. Some discovered unexpected skills (“Sometimes you find skills you didn’t even know you’ve got!”). Others highlighted the social benefits, enjoying the chance to get out and meet new people. The classes also fostered a sense of freedom and self-acceptance, helping participants feel “not to be afraid of experimenting” and improving their attitude and self-perception (“It’s helpful for your attitude, you feel better about yourself through your artwork”). The classes were also described as beneficial for keeping the mind sharp. For one individual, the class marked a significant turning point, being the “first thing I’ve done since retiring” and providing a positive transition, helping with the grieving process by offering a challenging commitment that “feeds the soul”. These observations align with general evaluation findings that participants were engaged, enjoyed the classes, looked forward to them, and appreciated the social and therapeutic aspects.
Anna also observed the effectiveness of the teaching artists involved in the program. She noted they were effective communicators, provided necessary extra support, and consistently encouraged participants. Teaching artists frequently reported witnessing participants’ confidence grow throughout the course. One artist’s perspective, “I don’t say ‘mistake’, it’s just a detour,” exemplifies the supportive and encouraging environment fostered in the classes.
Beyond the immediate evaluation, working on the CAT III project holds significant value for Anna’s future academic pursuits. This experience has provided her with more hands-on experience with older adults and offered a clear demonstration of the positive impacts of the arts on the aging process. She sees this work as crucial in helping to bridge the gap between research and the practical implementation of programs, such as arts classes for older adults. Anna is now better equipped to speak from a firsthand perspective about the benefits art classes can have on cognitive decline, mood, social interactions, and the overall quality of life for older adults.
Overall, her internship experience evaluating the Creative Aging Tennessee III project opened Anna’s eyes to the practical, real-world benefits of the arts. It reinforced her dedication to assisting older adults and cultivated a newfound appreciation for diverse art forms, cultures, and communities. The project funded 15 nonprofit organizations across Tennessee, bringing these benefits to numerous counties. Through the work of dedicated individuals like Anna, the impactful stories and outcomes of programs like Creative Aging Tennessee III are brought to light.
