Pamela Harris Lawton

Artstories: Narrative Construction in Intergenerational and Transformative Learning Pamela Harris Lawton

The decline of extended family networks that resulted in the generation gap has given rise to concerns regarding the social and moral education of children, the isolation of older adults and an increase in negative stereotypes and attitudes about the aged and aging. In an effort to address these concerns, government and community service organizations established intergenerational service learning programs that seek to connect youth with older adults through educational and creative activities that benefit each generation. This book examines the nature of the learning and social relationships that evolved among three generations of women and girls previously unknown to one another, working together on a collaborative narrative based in their lived experiences. Artstories© is an age-integrated arts learning program designed to emulate the creative learning environment of extended family networks, foster social and moral learning and development, arts learning, cultural and racial harmony, and a sense of community. Educators, artists, arts administrators and museum professionals interested in developing age-integrated community arts programs should find the ideas here beneficial.