Several museums serving Wisconsin residents are extending their cultural and historical collections to create meaningful experiences for older adults with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.
The SPARK! project connects the museums with local partners in healthy aging to bring the model to the Midwest. The Alzheimer’s Association is assisting with training and support.
Under a Helen Bader Foundation initiative, the museums are taking cues from "Meet Me at MoMA", an innovative program at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. For more information, click here.
SPARK! provides an opportunity for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers to enjoy art and artifacts in a comfortable setting, guided by trained docents and volunteers. Programming at each museum is different. The atmosphere is welcoming and stimulating. Attendees enjoy a wonderful time and are eager to come back for more. Repeat attendance and attendance of multiple programs in different locations is encouraged! Print out the SPARK Schedule here.
The ten museums participating in the SPARK! program are:
- Milwaukee Public Museum
- Milwaukee County Historical Society
- Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau
- Racine Art Museum
- Racine Art Museum and Wustum Museum
- Racine Heritage Museum
- John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan
- Minneapolis Institute of Arts
- Minnesota Marine Art Museum
- Madison Children’s Museum
- Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend
