question

[emily]

i am a public art student and next term will be carrying out some work shops in a residential/nursing home. As part of my own practice as an artist i have just produced a time based peice, the peice was inspired by talking with my grandmother and building a collection of memories on audio as well as old photographs. I would like the work i do with the residents to involve some kind of remminissing and aknowladgement of their past. I am unsure as to what level of involvement to expect(i have been told not to expect to have their attention for more than 15mins at a time) and there fore what kind of results i can aim for. Iwould be interested to read about other projects that of similar topic or with similar groups. Any tips ect would also be apreciated as i have not before worked with residents of a nursing home.

[Riley]

emily,
I saw your note on the board and was wondering how your project is going. I also am wondering where you go to school as I have been searching for Public Art Graduate programs and am finding very few in the states. I had heard that there were some good ones in London and wondered if you had any advise. And my tip on working with people in Retirement homes: most of them are so happy to have someone to talk to, I am sure you will here some wonderful things from them. Would like to hear about it.
Riley

[emily]

rilely, thanks for your reply. I study public art at middlesex uni in north london, this is the only public art course i know of, the course is brilliant and i would really recomend it! i havnt started the project yet, it will start in the new academic year I had a visit at the home and met some of the residents and am looking forward to starting.

[Riley]

emily
thanks! that is helpful. keep me updated on when your project starts. it sounds excellent.
riley

[Linda Frye Burnham]

Elders Share the Arts is a good resource for you (www.elderssharethearts.org). Liz Lerman has written a book about working with elders (www.danceexchange.org). I heard a great story about her: She went to work in a reswt home and couldn't get the elders to dance or even warm up, so she told them to look at her while she ran back and forth in front of them, jst to warm up their necks!