Danceworks Generations

Danceworks Generations is an intergenerational, multi-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 Generations program includes 15 sessions whether shared or individual sessions. Generations is typically scheduled between November and April and all sessions are led by Danceworks Teaching Artists’. Sessions can be in-person and shared between adults and students, in person and separate, live-streamed or pre-recorded to provide maximum flexibility for schools and adult sites.

 

2020-21 Generations Year End Presentation 2020-21 Program Report

Inspiration for Intergenerational, Artful Exchanges


Danceworks Teaching Artists begin the creative process by posing an open ended question to intergenerational participants. Some examples of questions could include, “If you had a superpower, what would it be and why’?”, “What do you treasure in your home – and why?” Students and seniors learn about one another through these thoughtful, open-ended questions that invite personal reflection and expression.

The intergenerational participants’ responses to questions inspire the collaborative creation of visual art and dance. Generations Pen Pals are established for those participants unable to have shared sessions. 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 2021-22 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 participating separately 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 their individual sessions.

       

      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.

      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 work done in individual sessions. As participants create danced responses to 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

      Each Generations School and Senior Center will work with Danceworks to identify the best format to engage in 15 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 once weekly sessions.

       

      In-Person Individual Sessions
      (Masks and appropriate physical distancing are required)
      A Danceworks Teaching Artist will work with your students/clients in 15, hour-long, in-person sessions to create one-of-a-kind postcards and Dance-o-Grams to share with intergenerational pen pals.

       

      In-Person Shared Sessions
      (Masks and appropriate physical distancing are required)
      A Danceworks Teaching Artist will work with students and adult clients to create art and movement based on their responses to questions and weekly themes.

       

      Live-Streamed Virtual Sessions
      A Danceworks Teaching Artist will work with your students/clients in 15, hour-long live- streamed sessions to create one-of-a-kind postcards and Dance-o-Grams to share with intergenerational pen pals.

       

       

      Pre-Recorded Virtual Sessions
      Danceworks will provide 15, hour-long pre-recorded sessions for your students/clients to create one-of-a-kind postcards and Dance-o-Grams to share with intergenerational pen pals.

       

      Generations Program Fee
      School Program Fee: $900 per classroom of up to 36 students. Includes 15, hour-long sessions.
      Senior Center Program Fee: $900 per senior center group of up to 25 clients. Includes 15, hour-long sessions.
      Danceworks Generations School Interest Form
      Danceworks Generations Senior Center Interest Form

      We have outreach programming for ages K5-senior adults. You can bring a customized bundle of these programs to your facility to serve all ages abilities. Multi-program discounts are available.


      Thank you to our sponsors!

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

      • Bader Philanthropies
      • Maihaugen Foundation
      • United Performing Arts Fund
      • Froedtert Community Investment Fund
      • Anonymous Donor

       


      Questions about Danceworks Generations? Contact Jessica Fastabend, Community Programs Manager, via email.