Overview
Description
Generation Mosaic aims to bring together cohorts of undergraduate and/or graduate students and cohorts of independently living older adults in college towns across the US for 10 week programs during the academic year. This program aims to foster meaningful intergenerational relationships through shared activities, creative workshops and thematic discussions.
Weekly sessions will progress from casual, relationship-building activities to deeper conversations on topics related to healthcare, ageism and policy. Activities at the start of the program will include collective art-making, book discussions, recipe sharing and storytelling. The final activity will be co-creation of a mosaic decorated “conversation” bench for placement on the campus or in the college town (though in some cases, we may switch to a different form of mosaic art, e.g. wall installation). A culminating event at the end of the program will invite participants and community members for a celebration of intergenerational unity.
Each campus program will receive funds to cover materials, transportation and the cost of the mosaic project development and instillation. Outcomes of this program will include a research study based on insights gathered from questionnaires and discussions, as well as new friendships and a lasting, public art installation to symbolize community connections.
This program is run by Lifting Hearts with the Arts and is generously sponsored by the Eisner Foundation’s Eisner Prize Fellowship.
Timeline
Week 1: Introductions (get-to-know you activities)
Week 2: Performing arts (name that tune, music/playlist building)
Week 3: Visual arts (collage-making, drawing, coloring)
Week 4: Literary arts (book club, writing)
Week 5: Culinary arts (recipe sharing, discussions)
Week 6: Storytelling arts (recorded story-sharing)
Week 7: Discussions (intergenerational perspectives on healthcare, policy, etc)
Week 8: Discussions (combatting stereotypes, ageism)
Week 9: Mosaic-making part 1
Week 10: Mosaic-making part 2
Post-week 10: Celebration event @ Mosaic Bench (or artwork)!
Participant recruitment
The program aims to have continued participation from at least 10-15 college students and at least 10-15 older adults living in the nearby community at each school.
Location
Meeting spaces will vary per school. The goal is to find a location either on campus or nearby campus that is broadly accessible to participants (e.g. public library).
Outcomes
Specific, tangible outcomes include a report highlighting insights gathered from discussions, participant journal compilations and a public art installation to symbolize community connections. Broader outcomes include formation of intergenerational friendships that exist beyond the program, reduced social isolation, enhanced communication, awareness of generational experiences, creative expression, collaborative critical thinking, increased sense of community belonging and mutual, intergenerational learning.
Future Goals
This is the pilot version of Generation Mosaic. We hope to collect feedback and eventually expand to other universities across the country in the coming years.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Please email Maya at [email protected]
Generation Mosaic aims to bring together cohorts of undergraduate and/or graduate students and cohorts of independently living older adults in college towns across the US for 10 week programs during the academic year. This program aims to foster meaningful intergenerational relationships through shared activities, creative workshops and thematic discussions.
Weekly sessions will progress from casual, relationship-building activities to deeper conversations on topics related to healthcare, ageism and policy. Activities at the start of the program will include collective art-making, book discussions, recipe sharing and storytelling. The final activity will be co-creation of a mosaic decorated “conversation” bench for placement on the campus or in the college town (though in some cases, we may switch to a different form of mosaic art, e.g. wall installation). A culminating event at the end of the program will invite participants and community members for a celebration of intergenerational unity.
Each campus program will receive funds to cover materials, transportation and the cost of the mosaic project development and instillation. Outcomes of this program will include a research study based on insights gathered from questionnaires and discussions, as well as new friendships and a lasting, public art installation to symbolize community connections.
This program is run by Lifting Hearts with the Arts and is generously sponsored by the Eisner Foundation’s Eisner Prize Fellowship.
Timeline
Week 1: Introductions (get-to-know you activities)
Week 2: Performing arts (name that tune, music/playlist building)
Week 3: Visual arts (collage-making, drawing, coloring)
Week 4: Literary arts (book club, writing)
Week 5: Culinary arts (recipe sharing, discussions)
Week 6: Storytelling arts (recorded story-sharing)
Week 7: Discussions (intergenerational perspectives on healthcare, policy, etc)
Week 8: Discussions (combatting stereotypes, ageism)
Week 9: Mosaic-making part 1
Week 10: Mosaic-making part 2
Post-week 10: Celebration event @ Mosaic Bench (or artwork)!
Participant recruitment
The program aims to have continued participation from at least 10-15 college students and at least 10-15 older adults living in the nearby community at each school.
- Students: After 1-5 student leaders are established for each school, student recruitment will be through flyers, emails and club advertising. If more than 15 students are interested, participants will be determined through a simple application (weighing mostly on the ability of applicants to commit to the entire program length).
- Older adults: Promotion through community centers, public places/libraries, word of mouth. If more than 15 older adults are interested, participants will be determined through a simple application (weighing mostly on the ability of applicants to commit to the entire program length).
Location
Meeting spaces will vary per school. The goal is to find a location either on campus or nearby campus that is broadly accessible to participants (e.g. public library).
Outcomes
Specific, tangible outcomes include a report highlighting insights gathered from discussions, participant journal compilations and a public art installation to symbolize community connections. Broader outcomes include formation of intergenerational friendships that exist beyond the program, reduced social isolation, enhanced communication, awareness of generational experiences, creative expression, collaborative critical thinking, increased sense of community belonging and mutual, intergenerational learning.
Future Goals
This is the pilot version of Generation Mosaic. We hope to collect feedback and eventually expand to other universities across the country in the coming years.
Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Please email Maya at [email protected]
