Creativity and Aging: The Role of Diversity

Abstract

Creativity is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as “the use of imagination or original ideas to create something” (2012), which is typically conceptualized as an artistic piece of work, but can be an invention, a theory, or even a solution to a problem. Thus, creativity is also relevant in the scientific fields, where the presence of flexible, or divergent, thinking is considered an essential component. Although there is little evidence of differences in creative abilities based on gender and race, lack of representation of women and marginalized racial/ethnic groups in creative fields including art, fashion, film, and music has been documented (Topaz et al 2022). Similarly, fewer than three percent of Nobel science winners are women, and only one woman of color has ever received the award.Creativity, and engagement in creative activities, has received recent interest in the geriatric field, because it is thought that both may play a role in successful aging and enhanced coping during the later years of life. Indeed, participating in creative arts appears to improve quality of life and health outcomes in older adults. However, the literature on creativity and aging has not focused on the potential effects of gender and race diversity. This symposium will examine the theme of creativity and aging, with special emphasis on issues related to diversity. Dr. Ali Abbas Asghar-Ali's presentation will focus on the lives and artistic work of two artists, Carmen Herrera and Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori who, through very different life experiences, maintained a high level of creativity in their later years. The talk will highlight aspects of diversity and equity that impacted on the personal lives and professional careers of these two artists. Dr. Linda Mah will present the recent literature on the impact of aging on creativity to answer the question of whether creativity declines in the later years and discuss the extent to which these changes are modulated by race or gender. Dr. Ruchi Aggarwal will conclude with an overview of the evidence for the potential benefits of creative arts-based interventions on mental and physical health in older adults, with special attention paid to the diversity of participants and potential impact on outcomes. As discussant, Dr. Rita Hargrave will provide commentary on the intersection between aging, race and gender and the process of creativity from her unique perspective as a geriatric psychiatrist with expertise in aging, culture, and wellness, as well as her work in dance and film making. She will also present a brief clip from her documentary "The Last Mambo" which focuses on the history and future of Latin music in the San Francisco Bay Area.This symposium is sponsored by the AAGP Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Action (IDEA) Committee.