As individuals, each of us are the walking repositories of our own culture. Art is a bridge across generations. When I was in the town of LaCrosse, Wis., a grandmother came up to me to talk about a project that we supported in her community. The children in the local school were asked to gather the stories, legends, myths, and histories of their families to create a community mural, history and video, in addition to informing the youngsters of their roots. The grandmother said that she was thankful that this project had come along because her grandmother had rarely talked with her and now they were asking her questions all the time.
Art is a way out of isolation.
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.