Engaging People with Dementia in Community Art Activities: The Perspective of Art Collaborators

Abstract

Community-based arts have the potential to offer multiple benefits to people living with dementia; however, the level of uptake of these activities is unclear. This study sought to examine the perspectives of key stakeholders: the presenting artists and those who are responsible for planning art activities within the context of community to examine opportunities for and barriers to participation of people living with dementia in community-based art activities. Inductive thematic analysis approach of Braun and Clarke (2006) was applied to identify, analyse, and report themes from the semistructured interviews with artists and art planners. Important factors to be taken into account when delivering community-based art activities inclusive of people living with dementia arose under three major themes: perceptions and knowledge of dementia, the inherently inclusive qualities of arts, and practical approaches to delivery of the activity. Both artists and art planners felt that understanding motivations and expectations, effective communication, access, and support for both themselves and people with dementia were crucial factors to create and deliver dementia inclusive arts in the context of community. Both artists and art planners believed that community-based art activities can be inclusive of people living with dementia. Changes in design, delivery mode, communication, and access to the activities might empower this group of people to take part in such activities in the community.