Community arts engagement supports perceptions of personal growth in older adults

Purpose: The effects of arts engagement on older adults have been well-documented. However, the ways older adults overcome common situational and dispositional barriers to enhance personal growth and well-being are less known. Methods: Fifty-six community dwelling older adults (71.3±4.6 years) took part in dance, music, or a control workshop two times/week for ten weeks. Participants’ personal growth was examined through focus groups and surveys in this mixed-methods study. Results: Focus group and survey results revealed participants experienced personal growth through engaging in the dance and music arms of the experiment. Participants, especially those in arts workshops, described personal growth experiences aligning with four themes: increased social connections, developed new skills, utilized a growth mindset, and used creativity to overcome situational and dispositional barriers to participation. The barriers included musculoskeletal challenges, hearing impairments, and difficulty retaining new information. Conclusions: The study yielded high adherence and retention rates, and participants reported increased engagement within their communities. Our observations provide avenues for future practitioners and facilitators to create programming that empowers older adults and utilizes participants’ ongoing feedback to support access, inclusion, and sense of community.