Jin-Shiow Chen

Art and Self-Actualization: Learning Benefits for Elders in Rural Communities

Jin-Shiow Chen – National Chiayi University, Taiwan

Abstract:

Many rural communities in southern Taiwan are experiencing rapid aging as younger generations leave to pursue job opportunities elsewhere. Revitalizing these communities and providing care for the elderly has become a pressing issue. Although art is recognized as a potential tool for community engagement and elder care, it has not been sufficiently utilized. In 2017, I collaborated with the Wenlong community, located near our campus, to establish the Wenlong Creative-Aging Art Studio, specifically designed for elderly residents. In 2022, we expanded the studio by introducing a Beginner Art Class, while the original class was renamed the Advanced Art Class. After several years of conducting these programs, I realized the value of studying how elderly participants from both art classes have engaged with art, expressed themselves, and experienced self-actualization through creative learning. This study aims to understand the art learning experiences of elderly residents in rural communities and to explore the relationship between art learning and patterns of self-actualization. Using a case study methodology, this research explores the selected case from multiple perspectives, gathering diverse data through observation notes, informal interviews, focus group interviews, and documentation of artworks and curriculum materials. Findings are as follows: 1. Art lessons provided valuable opportunities for elderly participants to express themselves and pursue self-actualization. 2. Self-actualization in art learning is influenced by three key factors: individual personality traits, social relationships, and instructional approaches in art. 3. The process of art learning is integral to and deeply intertwined with self-actualization among elderly participants. This presentation will focus on key findings from the case study, illustrating how art learning not only fosters self-expression among rural elders but also plays a critical role in their self-actualization process. By examining personal, social, and instructional factors, this study sheds light on the unique ways in which art can contribute to meaningful engagement and personal growth for elderly participants in rural settings.