I worry about the hours that the television consumes of all of our lives, and in the case of older people, there is a very real danger of leading insular days and nights in front of a television set. Art can open the door. Many arts organizations are finding ways to make it easier for people to come in through reduced ticket prices, new accessible entrances, seating, galleries and the like. The arts are one area where people can come together. Just as they reach across generations, the arts open doors to belonging, to being part of the community.
Art knows no age.
For an older artist, the body changes, but as I said, the imagination may still burn bright. As an actor, I will never retire. I think of an actress like Jessica Tandy who worked almost until the day she died. Or painters like Picasso who was dazzling at 90, or Grandma Moses who didn't even begin to paint until her old age. Art, for me, is the ultimate quality of life issue, because it engages the life of the spirit.