The purpose of this study is to identify the pivotal factors contributing to programmatic success of arts programs for people, age sixty-five and older, in the United States. This study examines select programs within five arts disciplines: Elders Share the Arts (theatre), Museum One (visual art), Liz Lerman Dance Exchange (dance), New Horizons Music (music), and Arts for the Aging (writing/literature). The selected programs serve a heterogeneous population of older adults and exist independently of larger, non-arts institutions, such as hospitals, nursing homes, or senior care facilities. Success factors were determined by three methods, including: (1) direct questioning of program staff members about what they believed made their programs successful, (2) observations of program delivery to determine success factors in action, and (3) research and review of literature. The conclusions of the aforementioned methods result in six universal factors among successful programming within arts programs. These common factors are: 1. Reminiscence regularly occurs among individual participants. Older adults who have the opportunity to reflect, without inhibition, on events from their past tend to experience more self-satisfaction, a reinforcement of their identity, and a ready connection with other adults. 2. Programs establish and maintain a safe, non-threatening environment. Allocating a small amount of time for everyone to acclimate to the new environment allows older adults to feel more at ease, encourages their participation, and increases their enjoyment. 3. Teaching artists are personally committed to the context in which they work and exhibit patience when engaging with older adults. Teaching artists find a balance between activities that are aesthetically enjoyable and educationally and socially rewarding. 4. Another organization or venue serves as a host for the program. This reciprocal relationship sustains the arts program and increases the vitality of the host organization by providing a wide range of programs. 5. The organization's leader is enthusiastic and mindful of both challenges and opportunities in the field. A single person in a highly-placed administrative position is identified as an essential driving force behind successful programs. 6. Teaching artists demonstrate loyalty by committing several years to the programs. The long-term retention of all teaching artists ensures consistent, reliable, and quality programs. / Master of Fine Arts

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Résumé : Le chant choral serait bénéfique à tout âge : cette étude choisit d’en mesurer les impacts auprès de personnes très âgées. Un devis quantitatif quasi-expérimental à trois groupes fut adopté : la Chorale, l’Hebdo-Bistro (ateliers et conférences, groupe de comparaison), et le groupe Témoin. L’étude longitudinale, intergénérationnelle, comporta trois saisons. La cognition (Mattis, 3MS, Trail Making, empan numérique, fluences formelle, catégorielle), l’humeur (bien-être général, dépression (GDS)), l’autoefficacité (GSES) et l’autonomie (QAF) furent mesurées à trois reprises (pré, post, 2e post). En outre, des mesures hebdomadaires furent administrées concernant la santé physique (consultations médicales, médicaments, chutes) et la participation sociale (activités). L’analyse intergroupe ne rapporta aucune différence significative. Les comparaisons intragroupe montrèrent une amélioration significative pour la Chorale (3MS et activités sociales), et une tendance d’amélioration pour la Chorale et l’Hebdo-Bistro (fluence formelle). Bien que le petit échantillon (n=21) exclue toute généralisation, les résultats demeurent inspirants en contexte de vieillissement populationnel. / Abstract : Choir singing is known to be beneficial : this study chose to measure its impacts on elderly people. The quantitative and quasi-experimental design included three groups : the Choir, Hebdo-Bistro (conference workshops), the comparison group, and the Control group. This longitudinal, intergenerational study lasted for three seasons. Cognition (Mattis, 3MS, Trail Making, Numeral WAIS Scale, Formal and Categorical Fluences), humor (Psychological Well-being of American Adults, Geriatric Depression Scale), self-efficacy (Schwartzer), and autonomy (QAF questionnaire) were administered three times (pre, post, 2nd post). In addition, weekly measurements were administered on health related topics (medical consultations, medication, falls) and social participation (activities). The analyses showed no significant differences between groups. However, the intra-group analyses showed a significant improvement for the Choir (3MS, social activities), and a tendency for improvement (Formal Fluence) for the Choir and Hebdo-Bistro groups. The small sample (n =21) excludes any generalization, but the results are promising in today’s aging context.

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