Boro Park Center Senior Arts Program
Creativity, Connection, and Wellbeing for Older Adults
Since 2024, ALT Alliance has partnered with Boro Park Center to provide arts and crafts workshops for older adults in a rehabilitation and skilled nursing community. Through accessible creative activities, the program promotes social connection, self-expression, and emotional wellbeing among senior participants.
Program Overview
Over ten workshop sessions, participants explored a variety of accessible creative activities including clay sculpting, origami bird-making, tote bag printing, pipe cleaner flower-making, bird wind chimes, and traditional seasonal craft projects such as mugwort door-hanging decorations.
Art as Connection
Workshop themes followed seasonal changes and holidays, helping participants stay connected with the outside world and experience the passage of time through shared creative experiences. Beyond art-making, the program fostered companionship, reduced feelings of isolation, and encouraged emotional expression.
During a recent mugwort door-hanging workshop, participants created traditional decorations associated with wellbeing and good fortune. The activity sparked conversation, encouraged collaboration, and concluded with residents proudly sharing their completed pieces with one another.
Key Learnings
Community Impact
Workshop Sessions
11
Participants Per Session
(Avg)
19
Participant Age Range
78–97
Volunteers Per Session
2–4
Program Duration
(Year)
2
Key Learnings
01.
Guided Creativity Builds Confidence
Volunteers first modeled the creative process and encouraged personal expression. With this support, many seniors created imaginative and highly personalized artworks.
02.
Repetition Encourages Engagement
Repeating workshop formats helped participants build familiarity and confidence, leading to stronger engagement over time.
03.
Language Accessibility Matters
Seniors engaged more when activities were offered in familiar languages. Language accessibility strengthened participation and connection.
04.
Volunteer Support Enables Participation
Many seniors needed help with threading and tying knots. Volunteer support helped everyone complete and take home their artwork.
Volunteer Engagement
Each workshop was supported by ALT Alliance volunteers from backgrounds including public administration, marketing, photography, and community engagement. Volunteers also provided one-on-one assistance with fine-motor tasks and creative guidance, ensuring every participant could successfully complete their artwork.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.