About This Project
Building genuine connections through art-making for people living with dementia.
The goal of Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) is to help build a society that values all individuals, including older adults living with dementia. This is achieved by fostering genuine friendships between people living with dementia and volunteers through art-making activities. Founded in 2007 at the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University, OMA is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program. People living with dementia (artists) are paired with volunteers (students, families, caregivers) who are trained to focus on imagination rather than memory, emphasizing remaining strengths instead of lost skills. Through this process, individuals with dementia assume new roles as artists and teachers, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful artwork. OMA has been widely replicated across the country and continues to have a significant impact on improving the lives of both individuals living with dementia and the volunteers they interact with. Visit ScrippsOMA – Building Bridges Across Age and Cognitive Barriers through Art for more information.
Aims
AIM 1: Build genuine, supportive relationships between people living with dementia and volunteers through art-making.
AIM 2: Foster social inclusion and participation for people of all ages through individual creative expression
AIM 3: Foster an intergenerational connection between different age groups, bridging cognitive and generational barriers.
Dates
OMA was founded in 2007 and continues to operate. During 2020, virtual programming began and led to the launch of ScrippsAVID in 2023.
Funders
OMA is tremendously grateful for philanthropic funding provided by the Adam R. Scripps Foundation. Recent grant funding also includes projects supported by the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation and the Ohio Department of Medicaid.
Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Dr. Elizabeth “Like” Lokon, the founder of OMA, and the Scripps Gerontology Center team for their continuous efforts in the development and expansion of this program. Additionally, recognition is given to the numerous volunteers and participants whose contributions make this program a success.
Project Personnel
Social Media
Publications
Lokon, E., Mehrotra, V., Murali, S., & Oakman, R. (2025). Using Art and Technology to Reduce Loneliness and Bridge the Age Divide: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 23(2), 125–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2024.2307983
Dellasega, C., George, D. R., & Lokon, E. (2024). The transformative power of participating in Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), an expressive arts program for medical students. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 45(4), 524–536. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2023.2255537
Levenberg, K., George, D. R., & Lokon, E. (2021). Opening Minds through Art: A preliminary study evaluating the effects of a creative-expression program on persons living with dementia and their primary care partners. Dementia, 20(7), 2412–2423. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301221997290
Danker, S., Lokon, E. Pax, C. (2021). Building Bridges in the Community through OMA, an Intergenerational Abstract Art Program for People Living with Dementia. In A. Sinner, C. Lin, & R. L. Irwin (Eds.). Transversalities: International Perspectives on Community Art Education. Bristol, UK: Intellect Books.
George, D., Lokon, E., Li, Y., & Dellasega, C. (2021). “Opening Minds through Art”: Participation in a Nursing Home-Based Expressive Arts Program to Improve Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards Persons Living with Dementia. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Levenberg, K., George, D. R., & Lokon, E. (2021). Opening Minds through Art: A preliminary study evaluating the effects of a creative-expression program on persons living with dementia and their primary care partners. Dementia, 20(7), 2412–2423. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301221997290
Yamashita, T., Kinney, J. M., & Lokon, E. J. (2013). The Impact of a Gerontology Course and a Service-Learning Program on College Students’ Attitudes Toward People With Dementia. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 32(2), 139–163. https://doi.org/10.1177/0733464811405198
Lokon, E., Kinney, J. M., & Kunkel, S. (2012). Building Bridges across Age and Cognitive Barriers through Art: College Students’ Reflections on an Intergenerational Program with Elders who Have Dementia. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 10(4), pp. 337-354.
Sauer, P. E., Fopma-Loy, J., Kinney, J. M., & Lokon, E. (2016). “It makes me feel like myself”: Person-centered versus traditional visual arts activities for people with dementia. Dementia, 15(5), 895–912. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301214543958
Lokon, E., Li, Y., & Kunkel, S. (2020). Allophilia: Increasing college students’ “liking” of older adults with dementia through arts-based intergenerational experiences. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 41(4), 494–507. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2018.1515740
Lokon, E., Li, Y., & Parajuli, J. (2017). Using art in an intergenerational program to improve students’ attitudes toward people with dementia. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 38(4), 407–424. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701960.2017.1281804
Lokon, E., Sauer, P. E., & Li, Y. (2019). Activities in dementia care: A comparative assessment of activity types. Dementia, 18(2), 471–489. https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301216680890
Resources
Curricular Connections
OMA and ScrippsAVID integrate key concepts in gerontology, art therapy, and intergenerational studies. These programs align with educational frameworks in aging services, healthcare, and community engagement, offering practical, hands-on experience for students and professionals in these fields.Reports and Publications
- All research can be found here: https://scrippsoma.org/research/
- OMA and Intergenerational Art-Making Authors: Dr. Elizabeth “Like” Lokon, Dr. Suzanne R. Kunkel Topics: Intergenerational programs, dementia care, art therapy
- ScrippsAVID: Virtual Connections Across Generations Authors: Dr. Elizabeth “Like” Lokon, Dr. Suzanne R. Kunkel Topics: Virtual caregiving, intergenerational engagement, mental health in aging populations
Other Dissemination Outlets
- Podcasts on dementia care and intergenerational art-making
- Webinars and online workshops for healthcare providers and caregivers
- Press releases highlighting OMA’s impact on dementia care and intergenerational relationships
- Social media campaigns featuring OMA artwork and participant testimonials
Social Media
Facebook: Instagram: YouTube: LinkedIn:Project Home Page Content
Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) is an evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program for people living with dementia. Since its founding in 2007, OMA has created meaningful connections between volunteers and older adults living with dementia. OMA has been widely replicated across the country and continues to improve the quality of life for individuals living with dementia by allowing them to create beautiful works of art. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ScrippsAVID (Arts-based, Virtual, Intergenerational Discovery) was developed to connect older and younger adults via video chat to share art, music, poetry, and stories, furthering the mission of OMA in the virtual world.Commercial Products
- OMA Art Kits Description: Art kits designed to engage people with dementia in creative expression, available for purchase for use in homes, caregiving settings, and healthcare facilities. Intended Audience: Caregivers, healthcare professionals, organizations supporting individuals with dementia Value: Empowers caregivers and healthcare professionals to facilitate meaningful creative activities for people living with dementia.
- OMA Training Program Description: A training program for volunteers and caregivers to learn how to facilitate art-making sessions with individuals living with dementia. Intended Audience: Volunteers, caregivers, art therapists, healthcare providers Value: Provides a structured training model that can be implemented in various caregiving environments, promoting dignity and creativity for individuals with dementia.
- ScrippsAVID Virtual Art Program Description: A virtual platform that connects people across generations for creative art-making activities, designed to reduce loneliness and foster intergenerational friendships. Intended Audience: Individuals of all ages, caregivers, educators Value: Provides a simple, accessible way for people of different generations to connect and create, reducing isolation while enhancing social engagement.