It’s been almost three years since I last posted, and for anyone whose life has been severely inconvenienced as a result, I apologize profusely :) Much as I’d like to explain my blogging absence, I won’t — it’s complicated!
What’s inspired me to write again has been several recent visits to newly constructed independent-living facilities. I don’t know who designs these things but it must be the same person who specializes in mid-priced hotel lobbies, funeral homes, and mausoleums — environments meant to be restful, subdued, reassuring, and non-objectionable. Absent are any signs of life, creativity, or personal expression, unless one counts ersatz art of bucolic rural scenes strategically placed on hallway walls every 20 feet or so.
You almost want to set a gang of 16 year-old graffiti artists loose in a place like this.
To be fair, there are rooms — generally smallish in size — where arts and crafts programs are conducted. Tidy, clean rooms that lack adequate display and storage space and have all the characteristics of a school detention room. Why does one never see the art produced within those walls displayed as an ongoing, ever changing exhibit throughout the building? Why is art confined to a designated time and area in the first place? Is its isolation from the rest of life a major reason why the vast majority of residents never bother to participate in such activities?
Personally, I’d prefer to ditch the mud tones and faux traditional décor in favor of vivid colors, bold graphics, abundant natural light that helps both people and plants to thrive, and open studio work spaces where hobbies and crafts can be pursued at any time of day, and onlookers can kibitz to their heart’s content. How about a large expanse of painted fiber wallboard that becomes the analog equivalent of social media, with flyers announcing upcoming events, personal messages, articles of interest, and random art — the background setting for a mini town square if you will.
I can’t help thinking that the same creative spirit and energy that fuel artistic process hold something valuable for all departments in a facility — administration, maintenance, life enrichment, medical care, food service, etc. Tapping into that force field is a cost-effective way to turn a previously uninspired collection of living quarters into something vital and enlivening, the kind of place that anyone might be attracted to, no matter what that person’s age.
ElderSparks 
I agree with all you say. You are right there are so many questions to be asked from all you have observed. In the area where I live in the Uk they are reducing the funding to the arts in schools so they are gradually eroding a place where potentially young people have the opportunity to discover their creative self, be it in art, drama, music or whatever. It is outrageous that people are now effectively being denied something which has been fundamental to our existence since we were living in caves.
I know an art lecturer and her college is gradually putting more emphasis on graphic design rather than fine art. Presumably because graphic design is more commercial? Who knows?
Theatre and community groups are now finding it harder to raise funds through the channels that helped to make them in the first place!
Maybe managers, local authorities and government are afraid of people with creative minds and people who know how to express themselves?
I don’t know the reasons and I don’t know the answers but there is a definite shift in how the arts and creativity are viewed and valued. Where it takes us in the future is anyones guess but it is important that you (and the rest of us) continue to express the true value of the creative spirit. And yes for so many reasons, older people need to have resources and to be encouraged to access the creative bits of their brains.
I hope to see some more posts soon on ElderSparks…
Best wishes
Mr C :-)
Thanks Mr C :-)
Thanks for your words, though I have to admit it’s very disappointing to hear that the arts are not being adequately funded in the UK, home to history’s greatest playwright. I’ve always admired European governments for their support of the arts, and been jealous that we don’t act as civilized here in the states. This is not the example I would have ever wanted the US to set.
Those are dangerous ideas! ;-) It’s too bad but I suppose it’s all about making an environment that will seem inoffensive to people so more people will move in. Too much “personality” or life, and the management might be afraid that someone will be scared off.
It’s either that or some middle-aged person’s idea of what old people want. Not sure it will fly with the baby-boom generation though.