Making a living moment more resonant: an exploration of the role of the artist in co-creative work with people living with dementia

Background
Despite a growth in interest in recent years in the benefits of working co-creatively with the Arts for people living with dementia, little attention has been given to understanding the role of the professional artists within this context. Our main question here is ‘How do professional artists apply their skills and knowledge in co-creative arts groups with people with dementia?’ This paper has been informed by the insights gained from a series of conversations, observations and journals that were kept by four UK based artists (two musicians and two dancers) who reflexively interrogated what they were doing during the course of an 8-week co-creative arts project with people living with dementia.

Methods
The research used an empirical case study methodology, with the authors adopting a thematic approach to the analysis of the data.

Results
Thematic analysis resulted in three main themes: Authenticity, Enabling Risk and Togetherness. These themes characterise the skills, techniques and specialised knowledge used by the artists during the co-creative sessions.

Conclusions
Following this analysis, the article argues that the beneficial effects for people living with dementia of co-creative art-based work come about through the conscious application by the artists of their shared skills and knowledge, acquired through training and ongoing artistic practice. Rather than an assumption that ‘The Arts’ are in themselves beneficial for people living with dementia, we must consider the active role played by the artists who are so integral to the process.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the role that the arts might have to play in supporting the wellbeing of people living with dementia. Indeed, to a large extent the positive effects of engaging with music and dance is now generally accepted. In particular, there has been increasing interest in the benefits of working with the arts co-creatively. Working co-creatively means that the artists are working alongside all other members of the group, with everyone using improvisation so that each person can be equally involved. Structures for the co-creative sessions are kept loose and flexible, and the main focus is on relationships and the shared creative experience, rather than deliberately trying to work towards an end goal. Whilst there has been research which demonstrates the beneficial effects of this approach, there is a gap in understanding about the ways that professional musicians and dancers use their skills and knowledge in this context.

To try to understand this better, the researchers analysed journals that were kept by a group of musicians and dancers as they took part in 'With All', which was a co-creative music and dance project with people with dementia and their families and friends. Through their analysis, the researchers identified three key areas which are of particular importance in understanding the skills and knowledge that the professional artists contribute to the co-creative sessions, and which suggest that although the arts are generally accepted as being helpful for supporting those living with dementia, we need to consider the contribution made by the artists themselves.