Healthy Brain Initiative
The Remember Project
The Remember Project uses arts engage communities in conversation about dementia.
"Our core delivery model is the use of short plays as a springboard to facilitated discussion," said Director of Programs and Partnership Development, Betsy Meyer.
The project offers in-person, virtual, and hybrid events with short plays as a starting point for facilitated discussions. It also provides consulting services to organizations interested in incorporating the arts into their service goals.
The Remember Project works with various agencies, organizations, and communities to increase community engagement on topics related to brain health, dementia, social isolation, and family caregiving. They emphasize the importance community involvement in creating dementia-friendly environments. The Remember Project operates primarily in Minnesota and Wisconsin but has expanded to Southwest Michigan and hopes to go on regional or statewide tour in the future.
When asked "why dementia?" as a focal point of their work, Danette McCarthy, founder of the Remember Project responded, "dementia chose us."
The success of the one-act play, "Steering into the Skid," a story about a couple's journey over the course of one year, McCarthy knew they had to keep going.
"It opened the idea of using theatre as an education and outreach tool to address the stigma and fear of dementia, but to also build awareness and promote the need to support the dementia-friendly community movement," McCarthy said. "We realized that our approach was extremely effective in helping audiences with this difficult topic."
They have since delivered over 330 events throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, reaching people in Michigan, the Dakotas, and 38 other states, as well as international audiences through their virtual events.
Each Remember Project event includes a social gathering, viewing of a short play, and facilitated conversations. The plays embrace humor and seriousness to provide a comprehensive understanding of living with dementia. The facilitated conversations involve audience members sharing their stories and experiences, creating a sense of community and support.
Remember Project events embrace important lessons about dementia, including the need for a better societal support and understanding and the importance of early detection and preventative care.
The project continues to expand, collaborating with partners and funders to deliver high-quality events. A new project called "Voice of Isolation" in the Twin Cities metro area aims to create theatrical videos that contribute to conversations about social isolation and loneliness related to dementia and caregiving.
McCarthy and Meyer believe that art is key when living with dementia or caring someone experience dementia.
"We like to say that going "through the arts door" is so powerful because doing so activates an emotional response. Our deepest memories, deep in the brain, are frequently connected to music, nature, and our childhood experience. When we reflect on a deeper memory through reflection and expressive arts, it is common that we are activating (or reactivating) neural networks that may be under-exercised. When this takes place in a social learning setting, it's even better - our brain health and social connections are strengthened as old memories light up and new memories are made."
The Remember Project acknowledges the ancient practice of using the arts for community learning and connection and believes in the power of standing together in community to address the needs, challenges, and opportunities faces by those living with dementia.
