Next Avenue Readers Find Happiness and Connection in the Arts

“Because it makes me happy.” This was the top response to a question in a Next Avenue Vitality Arts survey on why our readers value participating in a favorite pursuit geared toward the arts.

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With the 10-question survey, posted in August  2018 on the Next Avenue Facebook page and distributed in our weekly Next Avenue newsletter, we wanted to find out not only why readers find themselves drawn to the arts, but how they participate. We also wanted to discover if, through Next Avenue’s Vitality Arts reporting, they have developed more awareness about the positive impact the arts can have on aging.

Next Avenue readers are an active group. From bowling to book clubs and from choirs to comedy classes, more than 60% participate in group activities on a regular basis. Specifically, 53% engage in the arts in some way — examples include dancing, painting, acting, writing groups, playing music and more.

And if they don’t know, or want to learn more, about a specific facet of the arts, 73% indicated they have considered taking a class with an arts focus.

During the past year, Next Avenue has featured several stories on classes and workshops offering opportunities for older adults to learn about a pursuit they’ve long found intriguing and are now ready to try, such as How You Can Overcome Opera Phobia, Older Adults Paint En Plein Air Where It’s 19 Degrees, and Beating Those Music Beginner’s Blues.

Some readers are already taking action. “Learning to play the piano (on my bucket list) at age 74,” one wrote.

In addition to the happiness factor, Next Avenue readers believe there are other important reasons to participate in the arts, including the value of connection (“because it’s a good way to meet other people and make friends”) and feeling “a sense of purpose” which speaks to the desire to stay active and remain engaged in a particular area of interest.

One retired reader said, “I am doing a variation of the activities I did in junior high school; i.e. saxophone in the school band, mountain dulcimer in dulcimer jam group, and am currently in a watercolor group. Retirement is like going to day camp with all new friends. I love it.”

Another reader revealed, “I sing in two groups and love it. Was a great way to meet new people when we moved to D.C. from Louisiana to help with our grandsons.”

Like the previous respondent, this reader also values participation in more than one artistic endeavor, adding that “painting landscapes and seascapes have been good for my brain, too.” (For more on the impact creative pursuits can have on the aging brain, read Scientists and Sopranos Partner Up for ‘Music and the Mind.’)

One other area we were interested in learning more about was whether our survey respondents believed their age impacts their participation in the arts or other activities.

When asked if they ever felt stereotyped because of age, two thirds responded ‘yes.' And 53% said they felt they've been discriminated against due to their age. Just over 60%  believe that people underestimate their abilities or talents due to age.

To help combat this, one reader indicated that developing a broader social circle has had a positive impact, saying: “Try new things and be open to younger people as friends. I have friends who are 30 years younger who are a delight to me.”

However, we learned that other people’s perceptions are not an obstacle to participating in something new, according to the majority of the Vitality Arts survey respondents. When asked, “Have you ever decided not to try a new activity because you were worried about other people judging you negatively because of your age?” more than 70% said 'no.'

One of our 2018 Influencers in Aging, Dominic Campbell, the co-founder of Creative Aging International, addressed this topic, saying, “Attitudes are influenced by ‘story;’ the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves and the ones told about us by others. We become the ‘old’ we have in our mind’s eye.”

In response to our survey, some readers indicated that  financial constraints can affect their ability to participate in the arts or other activities.

“Some classes are priced way too high, a lot more than I can afford. Example: At my local arts center, classes run from $100 to $400, most in the $150 to $200 range. For 6-8 weeks of classes, how many seniors can afford to take even one class?” noted one respondent.

In our Vitality Arts reporting, we’ve discovered several low-cost options for a variety of activities, including classes and events at local public  libraries. We’ve also featured several stories on creative and inexpensive alternatives to pursuing a passion, such as 8 Tips to Become a Painter at Any Age and The Easy, Inexpensive Way to Make Your Own Movie.

Whether trying something new or returning to a former passion, our readers value the opportunity to enhance this time in their lives by including the arts. Here's a sampling of what we heard:

“I am trying new things, taking classes, meeting new people. My senior years have been a great way to explore, bring purpose to my life, and just grow!”

“I have always been curious and love learning. I am grateful for retirement so I can spend time on my true passions.”

"Arts have been a rich part of my life since childhood. I don’t expect I will ever stop participating.”

Julie Pfitzinger is the managing editor for Next Avenue and senior editor for lifestyle coverage. Her journalism career has included feature writing for the Star-Tribune, as well as several local parenting and lifestyle publications, all in the Twin Cities area. Julie also served as managing editor for nine local community lifestyle magazines. She joined Next Avenue in October 2017. Reach her by email at [email protected]. Read More