“We compartmentalize our community, and particularly when it comes to age, this begins early on in our lives. We are missing huge opportunities for intergenerational knowledge to be shared in a reciprocal experiential way that provides the space for connection and empathy in ways that traditional educational experiences do not. I would say that things should continue to move in this direction and MOCA Tucson has no intention of slowing that evolution down.”
— Eli Burke, Teaching Artist & Education Director, MOCA Tucson
On Saturday, May 4, gender performers of all ages wowed local audiences at the culminating event for “School of Drag,” an innovative arts workshop series held at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Tucson, AZ.
This free intergenerational program, promoted to LGBTQIA+ members of the Tucson community ages 13-17 and 55+, was led by teaching artists Eli Burke and Dante Celeiro. Burke is also the Education Director at MOCA, and Celeiro is the founder of Fluxx Productions and the creator of School of Drag. Over the course of 10 weeks, School of Drag participants explored the history and social construction of gender through performance; developed their own drag character; invented a name; and designed and created their own costumes.
Not only did the program allow participants to give their characters an identity, but they were also encouraged to explore their own. “The most meaningful impact this program had for participants was the relationship that they have with themselves,” said Burke. “LGBTQIA+ people often carry residual negative feelings about themselves due to the barrage of shaming and insulting messages delivered to them on a daily level by society, the church, our government, and often, trickling down to families. Intellectually we know what is true, but that emotional side of ourselves is sometimes more difficult to convince.”
Combating Social Isolation; Decreasing Discrimination
A 2018 study done by the LGBT Acceptance Ad Council Campaign found that 55 percent of LGBT people reported being discriminated against due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, a significant increase from 44 percent in the previous year. Social isolation is also a significant result of discrimination among LGBT older adults. The Facts on LGBT Aging statistics taken from the SAGE: Advocacy & Services for LGBT Elders report found that nearly 60 percent of LGBT older adults reported feeling a lack of companionship and over 50 percent reported feeling isolated from others.
“I think this [particular] program highlighted how little our 55+ LGBTQIA+ community is put in the spotlight and the intense need for programs that do provide this opportunity,” said Burke. “We focus so heavily on youth (which is also critical and crucial), however we forget that youth would not have the opportunities they have without the labor of our 55+ LGBTQIA+ community. This was an all-around enlightening experience for youth and 55+ participants alike.”
A program like School of Drag, which is groundbreaking in the field of Creative Aging, builds on work being done in libraries, schools, bookstores, museums, summer camps, afterschool programs and community spaces across the globe by organizations like “Drag Queen Story Hour” (DQSH), an event that offers literacy and creative programming for kids and teens of all ages led by Drag queens and kings. The NYC-based organization creates programming curriculum, produces over a hundred events each year, and provides resources, training and support to the growing network of DQSH chapters worldwide.
Seed Grants, Training, and Sustainability
MOCA Tucson is part of a cohort of museums and other organizations around the country who received professional development and seed grants for Creative Aging programming through Aroha Philanthropies’ Seeding Vitality Arts™ Program. Lifetime Arts provides Creative Aging training and technical assistance to Seeding Vitality Arts grantees. “My experience with Lifetime Arts was instrumental in the development and implementation of School of Drag,” said Eli. “I felt fully supported in all aspects of the process including curriculum development, working with our teaching artist, promotion, participation and engagement.
We asked Burke if the museum will continue to implement programs that are aimed at older adults and/or foster intergenerational learning. “In my experience, these [intergenerational programs] are the most successful and profound programs that we offer, not only in content and demographics, but the participation and enthusiasm that these programs bring is exceptional and a clear illustration of the need,” he responded. “We compartmentalize our community, and particularly when it comes to age, this begins early on in our lives. We are missing huge opportunities for intergenerational knowledge to be shared in a reciprocal experiential way that provides the space for connection and empathy in ways that traditional educational experiences do not. I would say that things should continue to move in this direction and MOCA Tucson has no intention of slowing that evolution down.”
For more information, read, “An Intergenerational “School of Drag” Connects LGBTQIA+ Youth and Elders,” written by Eli Burke and published by American Alliance of Museums.
Photo credit: Eli Burke, Teaching Artist and Education Director at MOCA Tucson.
Lifetime Arts proudly supports Creative Aging programming that addresses the needs and interests of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Art Forms
Acting, Dance, Performing Arts