I met with Rachel the leading Director of Education at the American Folk Art Museum today....to discuss their views and programs set up to engage and empower individuals with Dementia.
It was really interesting to find out that the museum has actually down scaled this last year from 5 stories next to MOMA to a small space in Upper West Side..so adjustments are being made to make the Dementia Access Program as successful...
At present they are showing a Quilt exhibition. This tactile textile work is used as prompts, similarly to paintings and sculptures that i have previously discussed and observed in other galleries around the US. Obviously the narratives are not as clear to the audience but this means that they have to read even deeper and write and explore new stories and ideas stemming from what they see or observe....
In fact anything could be observed to prompt discussion - it doesn't just have to be a painting!
It was so interesting speaking to Rachel about thier ethos and program at the American Folk Art Museum and it will be great to find out how the program develops over the next year...
