Danceworks Generations | Milwaukee Intergenerational Multi-Arts Program

Danceworks Generations 20-21

Danceworks Generations 20-21 is an intergenerational, inter-arts residency, that brings students and seniors together into pen pal partnerships, exchanging Dance-o-Grams and postcards featuring participants’ original artwork and creative writing.

The 20-21 Generations program includes 12 sessions for students and 12 sessions for seniors, November-April, led by Danceworks Teaching Artists, either in-person, live-streamed, or in pre-recorded sessions, to provide maximum flexibility to schools and senior centers.

Beautiful Questions Inspire Intergenerational, Artful Exchanges
Inspired by TimeSlips Beautiful Questions, Danceworks Teaching Artists begin the creative process by posing a Beautiful Question to intergenerational participants. Some examples of Beautiful Questions could include, “What does it mean to ‘grow up’?”, “What do you treasure in your home – and why?” or “What gift would you give to the next generation?” Students and seniors learn about one another through these thoughtful, open-ended questions that invite personal reflection and expression.

The intergenerational participants’ responses to Beautiful Questions inspire the collaborative creation of visual art and dance. Generations Pen Pals are established for the duration of the program, where students and seniors exchange one-of-a-kind postcards that feature participants’ creative writing and artwork. Pen Pals also exchange Dance-o-Grams throughout the program, which are short dances that build upon one another in an ongoing intergenerational dance conversation! Danceworks Generations program in 2020 is designed to be more flexible than ever, and increase intergenerational community connections through high quality and inventive arts programming

Danceworks Generations Primary Goals are:

To improve effective and appropriate communication skills across generations.

To improve critical thinking skills by making correlations across art forms.

To improve empowerment through creating intergenerational relationships that build community.

Generations Pen Pals

Students and Senior participants will be assigned an intergenerational pen pal to communicate with for the duration of the program. They will create and exchange postcards that feature creative writing and artwork inspired by TimeSlips Beautiful Questions. Each student and senior participant will be provided an art kit that contains blank postcards and all the materials necessary for the art and writing activities. This art kit can be stored at school, in the senior center or in participants’ homes as needed, in order to support continuation of the Generations sessions, even if participants are participating from home.

Both the written and visual art aspect of creating these one-of-a-kind postcards will be mentored by Danceworks teaching artists, either in-person, live-streamed or in pre-recorded sessions. The Teaching Artists will facilitate the collection and distribution of the postcard exchange and when possible, will collect photo or video documentation of the students and seniors receiving the postcards.

Generations Dance-o-Grams

Generations Dance-o-Grams invite students and seniors to create short dances that can be recorded and shared in an ongoing exchange of intergenerational dance conversations. Generations Dance-o-Grams are inspired by TimeSlips Beautiful Questions. As participants create danced responses to Beautiful Questions, they are introduced to beginning choreographic concepts and encouraged to work collaboratively, building off of others’ movement ideas to create dances that celebrate the group’s contributions.

The Danceworks Teaching Artists facilitate the creation of Generations Dance-o-Grams, either in-person, live-streamed or in pre-recorded sessions. The Teaching Artists will facilitate the collection and distribution of the Dance-o-Gram exchange and when possible, will collect photo or video documentation of the students and seniors receiving the Dance-o-Grams.

In-Person/Live-streamed/Pre-recorded

In-Person/Live-streamed/Pre-recorded
Each Generations School and Senior Center will work with Danceworks to identify the best format to engage in 12 sessions, from November-April, selecting from options for in-person, live-streamed and pre-recorded sessions. Plans made are subject to change, as needed, and will be assessed on a regular basis. On average, there will be 2 sessions planned per month, which will allow time each month to anticipate, address and adapt the schedule or mode of implementation as needed.

In-Person Sessions
(Masks and appropriate physical distancing are required)
A Danceworks Teaching Artist will work with your students/clients in 12, hour-long, in-person sessions to create one-of-a-kind post cards and Dance-o-Grams to share with intergenerational pen pals.

Live-streamed Virtual Sessions
A Danceworks Teaching Artist will work with your students/clients in 12, hour-long livestreamed sessions to create one-of-a-kind post cards and Dance-o-Grams to share with intergenerational pen pals.

Pre-recorded Virtual Sessions
Danceworks will provide 12, hour-long pre-recorded sessions for your students/clients to create one-of-a-kind post cards and Dance-o-Grams to share with intergenerational pen pals.

Generations Program Fee

School Program Fee: $850 per classroom of up to 36 students. Includes 12, hour-long sessions.
Senior Center Program Fee: $850 per senior center group of up to 20 clients. Includes 12, hour-long sessions.
Danceworks Generations School Interest Form 20-21
Danceworks Generations Senior Center Interest Form 20-21

Some highlights from Generations 19-20
Video / Photography Credit: Christal Wagner

Danceworks Generations 2020-21 program is funded through charitable contributions from a variety of foundations, corporations and individuals including:

Maihaugen Foundation
Pieper Electric, Inc./Ideal Mechanical
Bader Philanthropies

Questions about Danceworks Generations? Contact Dani Kuepper, Artistic Director via email.