Public defence in Visual Communication Design, MA Dohee Lee

The title of the thesis: Fostering creative well-being: Theoretical models of collaborative partnerships in developing arts-health practices for older adults

Doctoral student: Dohee Lee
Opponent: Associate Professor Klisala Harrison, Aarhus University, Denmark
Custos: Professor Masood Masoodian, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture,

Population aging has become a major global issue, increasing the need for research that examines aging-related societal challenges, such as care services that provide for personal growth and development of older adults in later life. There is, however, a prevalent “deficit” view of aging in modern societies that overshadows older adults’ contributions and reduces life opportunities they encounter as they age, which in turn increases their social isolation. As such, it is vital to provide better services and support systems for older adults, and both the arts and health sectors have become more proactive in taking advantage of different forms of arts-health practices, because of the positive impact of the arts not only on healthy and creative aging but also on social well-being of older adults. 

The primary aim of this thesis is to expand our understanding of the diverse challenges that aging societies increasingly face, and to explore creative ways in which arts-health practices can mitigate such challenges through collaborative efforts. This thesis also attempts to explore the value of synergetic collaborative actions in arts-health practices and to provide general structural support for designing and operating arts-health practices for older adults, thus enabling better implementation and delivery of such practices within a more inclusive and interactive environment through genuine partnerships between all the stakeholders involved. 

Therefore, the findings of this thesis highlight the importance of older adults’ active involvement as valuable partners and co-decision-makers in arts-health practices, and the need for developing practical frameworks for supporting the late-life creativity of aging people by helping them to redefine their own creative competences in older age through such practices. To facilitate these, this thesis proposes two theoretical models for arts-health practices for older adults that center on the significance of collaborative endeavors toward the better delivery of such practices.

Keywords: Arts-health practices, co-creativity, creative well-being, interdisciplinary collaboration, late-life creativity, older adults, practice framework

Contact information

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/doc_public/eonly/riiputus/

Doctoral theses in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/54

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