Active Voices, Meaningful Learning: The Benefits of Collaborating with Older Adults in Museums

Museums are often viewed as a natural fit for older visitors interested in cognitive health and lifelong learning; however, adults aged 60 and older are the least likely of any age group to visit museums. As a result, many North American museums – particularly cultural heritage institutions with limited creative arts programming – struggle to engage and serve this population. To address this gap, this study employed a participatory action research approach grounded in adult learning theory to examine how community engagement can lead to more meaningful experiences for older learners. Six volunteers, 55 years and older, participated in four workshops facilitated by a museum educator to co-develop an outreach program for seniors. Findings from interviews and observations revealed multiple benefits for participants, including new knowledge and skills, cognitive stimulation, transformative learning, social interaction, a stronger sense of community and identity, and deeper connections to the museum. These outcomes highlight the value of collaborating with older adults and the potential of program co-creation as an effective learning and engagement strategy for this audience.