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Sustainable arts and health: the role of a university in facilitating an intergenerational, interdisciplinary community arts project

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

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Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

There is growing interest in the use of intergenerational practice in arts and health to support psychological well-being and community cohesion. However, little research has addressed the facilitation of such projects, or how higher education institutions can support them. Here we examine the role of the University of Bedfordshire in Generations Dancing, an 11-week dance and photography project for older adults and young people in Bedford. Focus groups were conducted with the older adults, young people, artists, independent living centre leaders, and schoolteachers involved. Inductive content analysis highlighted the university’s role in brokering between community sectors, promoting the project, and offering resources. These factors appeared to play a significant part in enabling the project to develop beyond what smaller organizations working independently might have achieved, and in facilitating a sustainable model for its perpetuation.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 89-104 (16 pages)

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement (Volume 26, Issue 1)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 14/02/2020
  • Published - 31/03/2022

Publication status

Published - 31/03/2022

ISSN

1534-6102

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/625382
  • Scopus: 85138588818

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