Cultural and creative sectors (CCIs) were heavily hit by the Covid-19 crisis. Across the EU cinemas, theatres and cultural venues were the first to be shut down by governamental measures. In order to provide continuity to their activity, many went online with digital versions of their offers. Live stream of concerts and plays were the most common option; Venice Cinema Biennale's VR room provided an immersive experience to its viewers; museums offered 360° online visits to their digitalized contents; libraries opened their digital archives. We can expect that these kind of solutions will multiply in the future, to enable people to engage in cultural activities in situation of physical distancing or isolation. In fact, Covid-19 might have accelerated a process that was already ongoing. However, a large population band is at risk of being left out of the digital opportunity. Senior citizens aged 65+ are generally slower in transitioning to digital tools and options (Eurostat,2018). Fresh data from Eurostat (2020) shows that Internet use among older people varies from 70-90% (Netherlands, UK, Belgium, Germany) and >50% (Italy, Slovenia). Researchers found that personally held values to do with the desirability of technology, wider concerns regarding its impact on society were significant factors holding back technology use among older adults. Social isolation is another concern. Studies found that seniors are resistent in replacing "traditional", physical activities with online activities such as shopping because they fear that this will replace face-to-face interaction and result in loneliness(Lancaster University,2018). This bias is likely to reflect on cultural participation, already less frequent in senior citizens, if culture "goes online". In 2015, only around 55% of European senior citizens aged 65-74 engaged in cultural activities; higher shares (80-90%) were observed in northern countries, while southern countries' numbers fell down to 20% (Eurostat 2019). But cultural engagement is important. Attending theater performances affords older adults the experiences of social engagement, belonging, which lead to better psychological and social well-being(Ageing and mental health, 2018). Engaging in creative and cultural activities is crucial to creative active aging, to foster social inclusion and intergenerational dialogue. It is fundamental, especially during these times, to take action to boost seniors' cultural and creative participation, particularly those that use technology and digital tools, in order to make the digital space inclusive as viable solution to critical times. DISCoVeR Theatre aims to provide adult professionals in CCIs with innovative and creative tools to engage a wider public in their activities, targeting the 65+ population band which is at risk of being or feeling excluded. Objectives -activate local and transnational networks to boost transectoral cooperation -train CCIs professionals and operators on audience development, outreach and engagement strategies for seniors in the wake of Covid-19 -design an innovative methodology aimed at performative and expressive arts practicioners for engagement and community-building through arts, combining Participatory Theatre and use of Virtual Reality (VR). Participatory Theatre refers to a collective creation, usually community-based, where actors and non-actors co-create a play. The methodology will apply the use of VR to this practice, to create a Participatory VR Theatre script that can be used for local theatre workshops with seniors Activities -creation of a transnational Network and Web platform (IO1) for CCIs, senior services, public bodies -creation of a Senior Outreach and e-Engagement Training Format (IO2) to train adult professionals in CCIs and creative VR on engaging senior public in the era of Covid-19, tested during a Joint Staff mobility (C1) -creation of a Participatory VR Theatre Script and Handbook as an innovative methodology for participatory engagement and community-building through Theatre and Technology (IO3), tested during Local Activities with senior citizens Participants -C1: 21 adult (25+) professionals in CCIs, arts/cultural organisations, theatre companies, no-profit/volunteer institutions, tech-companies interested in developing their outreach capacity including seniors in their activities -Local Activities: 70 seniors (65+) from local urban communities (10xpartner) and 35 younger adults (20-30yo) from local communities (7xpartner) Results -Network and Platform created for long-term sustainability -enhanced CCIs’ outreach and engagement capacities through innovative and creative practices -innovative methodology for developing participatory theatrical performances using VR -7 innovative Participatory VR Theatre performances -creative aging mindset in seniors through involvement in theatrical creation activity -enhanced social inclusion and participation in seniors through co-creation activity
The partners implemented this project with clear objectives. Firstly to activate local and transnational networks to boost transectoral cooperation and gain a greater understanding of the accessibility of theatre and digital participatory activities for senior citizens Secondly to train CCIs professionals and operators on audience development, outreach and engagement strategies for seniors in the wake of Covid-19 Thirdly to design an innovative methodology aimed at performative and expressive arts practitioners for engagement and community-building through arts, combining Participatory Theatre and use of Virtual Reality (VR). The methodology applies the use of VR to this practice, to create a Participatory VR Theatre guidebook that can be used for local theatre workshops with seniors.
DISCoVeR Theatre aimed to provide adult professionals in CCIs with innovative and creative tools to engage the 65+ population band which is at risk of feeling excluded. This project came out of a desire to foster engagement and understanding of the needs of senior citizens in a fast changing world affected by huge technological advances and Covid 19. This demographic was already feeling the alienation of digital exclusion and this was further compounded by the rush to be ‘online’ that the covid 19 crises spurred. Established participatory theatre practise has long been known to provide a source of social inclusion and a key set of soft skills development within the target group but it was important to get a national and international context for how available this type of activity was for the target group. Digital exclusion is a growing area of concern for senior citizens. Much of day to day life has now moved online. The consortium partners wished to explore ways and methodologies of accessing digital Inclusion through use of innovative participatory theatre techniques. The needs addressed centred around the two concepts of social inclusion and digital exclusion.