How you can launch a new creative path at any age.
I’ve always believed that we all have some type of creative gene in us that we should explore or develop. We may have forgotten it along the way.
As Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”
When I went to The Juilliard School campus in New York City to meet with John-Morgan Bush, the Dean of Juilliard Extension, it was apparent that he was a Re-Imagineer who is on a mission around “creative aging” to make sure that as many as possible can keep that childhood sensibility alive.
The world-famous Juilliard School, a private performing arts conservatory and performing arts venue, has three key areas that it focuses on: Preparatory for young musician 8-18 years old, the College Division that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance, and drama, and the Extension program, which is approximately 1,300 students (as many as fifty percent of them are over 65 years old).
At Juilliard Extension, the curriculum spans across the performing arts, featuring courses such as the Compositional Through Lines from Beethoven to Bill Monroe, which explore historical influences in music. Under the leadership of Dean Bush, the program has expanded to include a diverse range of adult classes in ballet, drama, and voice, enriching the artistic experiences of adult learners and fostering a vibrant community of engagement and artistic expression.
“We want to help people pick up on a passion that they had in their younger years or else discover something for the first time. The goal is to help adults ignite their curiosity about the arts and express them in their individual way,” he said.
A good example is the Fundamentals of Piano program, which according to Bush can be for someone who has never placed their finger on a keyboard before. The school has three sections with 10-12 people in each one.
When I asked him if the students who attend any of their programs or earn a certificate in core musical skills, music composition and music production are doing it for their own interest or have ambitions to move into a creative field as their next chapter, he said both.
“One of our students studied composition and orchestration and would love to have his works read, performed or recorded. Another one recently had a play produced in New Orleans, but some do it for the joy of it. We want to provide the pathway to creativity for anyone’s intention,” he answered.
He also believes that arts organizations can play a role in the longevity sector, particularly as we live longer.
“Most of the focus is on post-acute care or therapy. We believe that music and the arts can be used as a preventative, non-clinical intervention, especially for people who are combating loneliness or isolation, “he said.
So far, there’s not much research out there on this topic compared to other aspects of aging and Bush says we need to learn much more. Jill Sonke, PhD, who is the Director of research initiatives in the Center of the Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida leads research that validates the role of the arts in health. Other leaders in the space include soprano Renee Fleming and her work on Neuroscience and Music as well as the work done by the Jameel Arts in Health Lab. More research is certainly needed.
Juilliard is one of the few major arts organizations with a focus on creative aging. As more and more people move into their 60’s, 70’s and beyond, Bush is at the forefront of reimagining what it might mean for individuals and society at large.
