This research has a purpose to explore the solution in revitalizing the participation of culture and arts in regional level for the elderly via case studying the '6090 Youth Choir' in Wonju, Gangwondo, which is a selected program as a part of the ‘C...
This research has a purpose to explore the solution in revitalizing the participation of culture and arts in regional level for the elderly via case studying the '6090 Youth Choir' in Wonju, Gangwondo, which is a selected program as a part of the ‘Culture and Arts Supporting Scheme’ by Korean Culture and Arts Centers Association (KOCACA). Research questions are as follows.
1. What is the positive factor of participating in culture & arts education programs for the elderly?
2. How has the form of participation in culture & arts for the elderly been changed in regions over time?
3. What are the current issues in order to achieve revitalising culture & arts education and what is the solution?
In order to fulfil the questions above, the researcher acquired the basic date through the questionnaires that were executed with 36 members of '6090 Youth Choir' along with the person in charge of the program on April 21, 2021. Then the individual in-depth interviews were conducted twice for 3 weeks between April 28, 2021 and May 19, 2021 with 6 voluntary interviewees among the 36 participants of the program. The result of the research is as follows.
The elderly's participation in cultural and arts education starts from the passion for arts education along with longings for arts. It tends to have a virtuous cycle that the prior culture and arts education leads to the next participation in such education. The elderly gain their confidence and self-esteem through this education which creates the desire of enjoying more culture and art. This then leads them to maintain the health and energy which improves their quality of life. In addition, by curating the elderly focused culture and art education, it is shown that the elderly start to create their own work participating in regional culture and arts events with it. It means that the role of the elderly in society can grow as well as accomplishing revitalizing their arts and culture.
However, as Korea is already experiencing an aging society, culture and art education for the elderly has not achieved the milestones of the positive changes. Especially in Gangwon-do region where the percentage of the elderly is relatively high yet lacking the culture and arts policy has rather serious problems.
Through the experience of participants in '6090 Youth Choir', an issue was addressed that there was a lack of a system to provide information of culture and arts, thus not enough opportunities were given to them, which can result in a preconception of how to enjoy culture and arts as an elderly. In the same manner, the need for intensive improvement was suggested since there was a lack of finding ways to participate in regional cultural events for the elderly as well as lack of thoughtful consideration in understanding the nature of the elderly in managing the program of '6090 Youth Choir'.
The aim for the culture and arts education for the elderly is to maintain stable programs supported by the government's policies which provide consistent support and developing new programs that are established based on understanding the role and effect of the elderly for the society participating in the culture and arts education. Furthermore, through building the system that education can lead to regional revitalization, more elderly should be able to participate in the regional cultural and arts and their role needs to be expanded as a consumer and creator of cultural business by making their own contents.
I expect the outcome of this research will be used for the basic data that helps local authorities pay attention to participants' needs in order to manage the elderly culture and arts education program systematically, incorporating each region's character as well as finding the solution to develop governments' supports and policies.