Here’s an interesting program we came across involving youth and seniors who collaborate on artworks that are placed with the meals seniors receive through Meals on Wheels programs. Erin from VIBE Arts describes the program: -Sonya, ArtBridges’ Outreach Coordinator.

“We’ve run many different incarnations of this program – but all have ended with the sharing of individual artworks to Meals on Wheels recipients. These mini works of art are created in VIBE Arts programs across the city. Some directly on Meals on Wheels lids, others on small paper canvases. The work is sometimes thematic and positioned to arrive around special holidays to bring some cheer to otherwise isolated seniors. In some special cases we were able to include drawing materials such as crayons and markers. Seniors were invited to add their own artist mark (drawing, poetry, sometimes just a few lines, shapes or a bit of colour) to art pieces that had been started by local children and youth. These lovely collaborative works were then exhibited during a special seniors’ luncheon at a neighbourhood community centre. At this particular event, the seniors who were bused in had the chance to chat with teens from one of our visual arts programs. I think both groups left feeling inspired and connected. The Meals on Wheels artworks are delivered by VIBE Arts to our community partners such as St. Christopher’s House (now West Neighbourhood House) and Scarborough Support Services. In one instance, at the launch of this project, we were actually able to send 2 children along the Meals on Wheels route to hand deliver some of the artworks! They have been so well received that we try to offer several art-making opportunities each year, often timed to take place at special events and child/youth art festivals where we can share this concept with a wider audience.”

The following is a press release about one of the incarnations of the program [Please note: St. Christopher House is now West Neighbourhood House; Arts For Children and Youth (AFCY) is now VIBE Arts]:

TORONTO, ON (Feb. 15, 2011) – Arts for Children and Youth (AFCY) is thrilled to share art made by children and youth, and a smile with the lunch recipients of the Meals on Wheels program that operates from St. Christopher House, Dundas and Ossington location in Toronto. Isolated seniors all over the city received hand painted covers on their hot food packages just in time for Valentine’s Day and Community Arts Day.

AFCY taps into existing social systems to promote the ideas of sharing, using art as a social connector.  AFCY celebrates “love and community arts” in February this year. Hand-painted, these hot food covers were created by hundreds of children who participate in our YMCA Youth Kickstart Programs, AFCY’s Big Bam Boom 2010 and at Harbourfront’s HarbourKIDS SK8.

Since meaning is made, children share stories, talk, and connect with each other as these hot food cover artworks are being created, these ‘lids’ become works of art. They are also proof of how art becomes a vehicle for giving back to the community.

“Children and youth in Toronto need to be aware about the importance of “sharing and caring” by giving back to the community.  This community sharing initiative encourages program participants to make meaningful intergenerational connections,” says Julie Frost, AFCY’s artistic and executive director. This initiative aligns with both AFCY’s values and Community Arts Day’s mandate “Art as a catalyst for caring and sharing.”

AFCY has been involved with St. Christopher House for the past 3 years. “AFCY connects with isolated seniors to give them the gift of unique artworks made by children and youth. And this has been made possible because we are partnering with Meals on Wheels, through St. Christopher House, engaging volunteer drivers to distribute art with a hot meal,” said Frost.

For recipients of a meal and a painting, this may be just what they need: a happy, spontaneous drawing that is a keepsake.

“The overall experience of creating artwork for the purpose of social change promotes the personal and creative growth of the children making the art, and engages them in meaningful artistic experiences that invest in community,” explains Frost.

-Posted by permission from Erin Glover, Program Director, VIBE Arts
Read VIBE Arts profile in ArtBridges’ Community-Engaged Arts Directory and Map