The effect of an artist in residence program on self-reported loneliness in senior citizens

The study, funded by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, measured the effect that an artist in residence program (conducted by state-vetted professional teaching artists) had on self-reported loneliness in senior citizens. All participants were aged 60 years or older and participated in programming in state-funded senior community centers located in 14 sites throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Artists offered 10 sessions in creating and critiquing art to senior citizens in their respective art forms including performing arts, visual arts, and multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary arts. Through pre and post-tests, changes in loneliness were measured using the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. The data revealed that there was a significant correlation between a self-reported decrease in feelings of loneliness and participation in a program conducted by professional artists.