Storytelling in Arts and Health: Shifting Narratives, Activating Community Histories Webinar Panel - November 11, 2021


The Creative Center Training Institute for Artists and Administrators in Arts in Healthcare and Creative Aging

November 1-22, 2021

Storytelling in Arts and Health: Shifting Narratives, Activating Community Histories 

Webinar Panel - November 11, 2021

Spica and I were honored to be asked to speak on a panel as part of The Creative Center’s recent Training Institute. As both graduates of the Training Institute and past presenters we know the importance of continuing the discussion about the important central role arts plays in developing effective and meaningful healthcare and creative aging programming. The Webinar, entitled Storytelling in Arts and Health: Shifting Narratives, Activating Community Histories was moderated by Dr. David Olawuyi Fakunle, Ph.D. who calls himself a “mercenary for change”. His interests include stressors within the built environment, societal manifestations of racism, and the use of arts and culture to strengthen health, equity, and ultimately liberation. His inspiring introduction set the scene for a lively discussion about the centrality of storytelling to good health outcomes. 

Spica and I spoke first about the work we do in The Memory Project, empowering the seniors we teach to tell their personal stories through the medium of visual arts, theater, and puppetry. We both spoke of how our parents inspired us to pursue this work and the rewards it is giving us as we see our students acquire new skills, have fun, overcome isolation, and gain self-confidence. Through the sharing of stories we connect, we develop community, we heal, and we find a sense of joy and wonderment. 

We were joined on the panel by Maura Johnson, the Senior Associate of Learning & Engagement at StoryCorps, who spoke specifically of The Legacy Project, which works to highlight the stories of patients, families, and caregivers. Keesha Dixon, the Executive Director of the Asante Art Institute of Indianapolis, Inc. who said she was inspired to expand the reach of her organization, which was originally a Children’s Theater after attending the TCC Training Institute. She spoke of how storytelling is central to the intergenerational work of Asante Art Institute. Kathy Hawkins is the Engagement Coordinator at TimeSlips. She spoke of how trained facilitators use prompts to activate memory and encourage the sharing of stories in the population she serves, including the area of dementia care. 

The audience posted questions in the chat and David provoked thoughtful responses from us when he asked about how we knew storytelling was central to our work. Spica and I are grateful to Sophia Heinecke, Arts and Wellness Manager TCC and Robin Glazer, Director TCC for this outstanding opportunity. We learned so much!

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