This text is part of the special booklet Living fully
Going to the museum to meet works, discuss them in groups and even express yourself by creating in your turn: this is of course the kind of activity that is good for everyone. This is particularly the case for seniors since they are more at risk of experiencing loneliness and once retired, they need to find ways to remain cognitively active. While everyone is welcome at the museum, several organize activities specially designed for seniors.
“We have been welcoming seniors in various programs for several years and we observe the benefits of art in their homes, for example when we see them renew their creative life, or even discover it while having fun talking to each other”, says Stephen Legari, head of educational programs and art therapy at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA).
Research has also shown the benefits of artistic activities for seniors. In 2018, a team led by Dr Olivier Beauchet, professor of geriatrics at McGill University and researcher at the Center of Excellence on Longevity, followed 150 people who took part each week in an artistic creation workshop for seniors at the MMFA.
Results ? Each participant’s level of well-being was higher at the end of each workshop, their quality of life had improved steadily and gradually throughout the duration of the session, and after three months, participants in fragile health had noted a marked improvement. improvement in their condition.
While activities for seniors had to cease in museums during the pandemic, they are slowly making a comeback.
As of April 7, seniors are invited to Thursday afternoons at the MMFA for the Ruche d’or. This new free activity is inspired by the MMFA’s Art Hive, a community creation studio where everyone is welcomed as an artist. The artistic exploration workshop for people aged 65 and over is inspired by themes and works from the MMFA’s collection. A museum mediator and an art therapist co-host the sessions.
“You can make links with the museum’s collections by using high-definition screens, or by making small visits,” explains Stephen Legari. In the hives, we always work with the public. He has his voice to make projects evolve. »
The MMFA has also developed several partnerships over the past 20 years with organizations active with seniors living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, for example. “Tailor-made visits are organized so that these people can see works while living a social experience,” says Stephen Legari. It is also very beneficial for their caregivers. »
Express yourself without words
At the Musée d’art de Joliette, Ariane Cardinal, curator of education, also clearly sees the benefits of art for seniors. “We see it a lot at the creative level,” she says. Someone who creates manages to express himself differently from what he could do with words. We feel their emotions through their works. »
She mentions in passing a work currently on display in the René Préville Family Educational Area, which was created as part of the mediation project by artist Marie-Hélène Bellavance, La maison que j’habite, moi. During a creative workshop held at the Sylvie-Lespérance residential and long-term care center (CHSLD), residents had to create small boxes furnished with memory-bearing objects. “A lady was shocked by the artist’s request because she couldn’t remember anything,” says Ariane Cardinal. In memory loss, she was in her period of acceptance. The artist was very touched by this woman who thus expressed her reality and decided to exhibit this empty box. »
The Musée d’art de Joliette also organizes several activities outside the walls to reach different audiences, in particular seniors with a loss of autonomy in residences. “I’m going to present some works, we discuss them and we can do a little creative workshop,” says the curator.
Before the pandemic, seniors also had a day in the year when they were specially invited to visit the Musée d’art de Joliette with the collaboration of the FADOQ. “This kind of day aims to make the museum more accessible,” says Ariane Cardinal. We intend to recreate moments dedicated to seniors in our programming this year. The shape has yet to be defined. »