Photos courtesy of the Boise Art Museum
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Honoraria
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Boise Art Museum
Boise, ID
New art and story workshops transformed engagement with seniors and artists, creating an inclusive set of educational programs based on direct feedback from Boise Art Museum’s (BAM) senior audiences. The workshop series was developed by professional teaching artists in collaboration with partners and museum staff. Each workshop series included eight 90-minute sessions over four weeks. Workshop themes were drawn directly from the narrative quality of the artwork in the "Silver Linings" exhibition and explored the diversity of stories, communicated through visual arts, that were on display throughout the museum.
With this project, Boise Art Museum wanted to advance its IDEA initiatives and create a perceptual shift demonstrating that the museum is a welcoming environment for older adult learners. To achieve this goal, the museum hoped to welcome 1,232 workshop attendees.
The new art and story workshops were an effective and successful way to engage 32 seniors and past docents at the museum, while providing a quality art learning experience. The two workshops filled immediately, and participants commented on their enjoyment after the programs ended.
When designing projects for senior citizens, provide accessibility and comfort by investing in age-friendly furniture. This includes seating with back support and arms, height-adjustable tables for wheelchair access, and comfortable chairs designed for adult use. Thoughtful accommodations like these not only meet the specific needs of older adults but also enhance the overall experience for all participants.
Held in collaboration with the Doris Ulmann Galleries and Special Collections & Archives at Berea College, the bell hooks center's annual feminist artist residency was expanded to include engagement with the author's personal papers and the work of Felix Gonzalez-Torres, deepening connections between anti-racist feminist art, archival materials, and academic discourse.
This multipart evening event, inspired by Felix Gonzalez-Torres' “Untitled” (L.A.), included the pilot of an ongoing opportunity for the Wheaton College community to submit physical and digital items to a dedicated queer archive held in the library.
Held in collaboration with the Doris Ulmann Galleries and Special Collections & Archives at Berea College, the bell hooks center's annual feminist artist residency was expanded to include engagement with the author's personal papers and the work of Felix Gonzalez-Torres, deepening connections between anti-racist feminist art, archival materials, and academic discourse.
This multipart evening event, inspired by Felix Gonzalez-Torres' “Untitled” (L.A.), included the pilot of an ongoing opportunity for the Wheaton College community to submit physical and digital items to a dedicated queer archive held in the library.
Photos courtesy of the Boise Art Museum
