Page 18 - Gilbert Awards 6-Year Scrapbook

2011 Winner, Creative Expression:

Kairos Dance Theatre (now KAIROS Alive!) - Minneapolis, MN

Kairos is a community-based arts organization which includes an intergenerational dance company. The

mission of KAIROS ALIVE! is to transform and revitalize individuals and communities. Kairos works with

older adults in intergenerational settings to liberate the healing power of interactive dance and story, with
professional teaching artists. Kairos’ work is based on a collaborative artistic engagement model within

healthcare systems; and a fundamental shift from the traditional medical model, where caregivers see and

respond to the recipients’ deficits, to an assets building model. Website: www.kairosdance.org

Program: The Dancing

Heart: Vital Caregivers

Moving in Community

The Vital Caregivers Program of the

Kairos Dance Theatre improves the
well-being of caregivers who work in

or have a loved one with Alzheimer’s

disease in a memory care adult day

program or assisted living facility.

Using participatory community-based

performing arts creation strategies,
the program provides in-depth op-

portunities for artistic development,

higher-level physical activity, and

community connection.

“Participants that normally have dificulty paying attention in other programs were amazingly en-
gaged for over an hour! The program sparked beautiful stories and memories and encouraged partici-

pants to open up and express themselves in ways they never had before.” – Shalom East, Caregiver

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