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Arts & Communication Photography and museums for senior students

from this innovative training, through which each step them to capture images and to reflect on the power of
of the process carried out was observed, to examine the photography and post-photography, as well as interpret
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important moments and the creative potential manifested the meaning of images. The empirical part of this project
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during the sessions. 1 is fundamental, as theoretical classes foster their creativity.
The course investigates the students’ creative Photographs will be analyzed in the classroom.
possibilities, attending to innovative pedagogical There were 17 members, consisting of 6 men and
approaches that contain a critical social load, and observing 11 women, in the group. These members are dentists,
aspects related to differences and inequalities. The content administrative workers, businessmen, designers, and
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of this course lies in photography learning while visiting chemists, with the majority being teachers although some
and getting to know different museums in the city, thus of the participants have opted for early retirement or have
turning the practice into an authentic performance – a already retired. Their photographs express a great sense
promenade – and at the same time, an artistic urban drift. of composition, demonstrating their expertise, aptitude,
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What is truly complex is taking advantage of this academic and ability to generate images, sometimes with virtuosity
environment to turn the experience into a space that and mastery. Their works manifest the integration of
generates creative images. This is possible thanks to the their knowledge and experiences with creativity; the
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attitude of all the people involved (students, teachers, and combination of which, as shown through this innovative
museum mediators), since the experience accumulated by pedagogical approach, increases their self-esteem and
these senior students in a relaxed academic environment, capacities, nurturing healthy habits among these senior
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can achieve a high degree of creative maturity. It is a students. In their feedback during classes and also in the
very appealing photography workshop, which increased questionnaires given at the end of the course, they rated
creative and visual capacities and skills, thus influencing the course as being able to elevate their self-esteem and
visual culture, as defended by Paul Duncum. 6 nurture healthy habits.
The project offers the possibility of getting to know the
city itself better, enjoying the spectacle of its museums and 2. Methodology
other urban heritage elements. To achieve this, a device The methodology applied in this study is of a mixed
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set in urban derive is elaborated, organizing actions of nature, combining case study with arts-based research.
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various types that involve walking and derive through the As teachers, during the process, we assumed the role of
city, emulating the figure of the flâneur, who links with the participating observer. When inquiring into teaching with
tradition of art that leads us reviewing Charles Baudelaire. 8 senior students (over 55 years old), we opted to create
This research highlights the value of museums as spaces spaces for participation, both from reflection (dialogue,
of cultural intensity, places full of educational possibilities, debate) and from artistic creation, taking photographs that
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something that is linked to the importance of heritage are used in the classroom as elements of analysis, favoring
education. According to the latest definition approved by learning from their creations. The creation of images
ICOM on August 24, 2022, at its General Assembly held in and the analysis of these images is one of the defining
Prague, “museum is a non-profit, permanent institution at characteristics of the arts-based research methodology,
the service of society, which investigates, collects, preserves, which encompasses a range of research approaches and
interprets, and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. strategies that utilize arts in investigation. The richness
Open to the public, accessible, and inclusive, museums of the opportunities created by the utilization of arts in
foster diversity and sustainability. With the participation conducting research brings collateral challenges. Thus,
of communities, museums operate and communicate we offer a space for the construction of knowledge,
ethically and professionally, offering varied experiences prioritizing problems, through the study of factors offered
for education, enjoyment, reflection, and the exchange of by the images themselves, both in their formal aspect
knowledge.” It is clear, therefore, that museums promote and in the construction of content. This qualitative study
citizens’ education, and it is from this intention that we applied participatory action to research design, giving
promote creative thinking, with strategies for creative the participants dual roles, namely researcher and study
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and critical teaching perspective. 11 subject. This study used techniques such as brainstorming,
museum visits, urban derive (drift), image creation, or
In a group of people over 55 years old, we especially
value maturity and acquired knowledge, encouraging their critical reflection.
concerns and desires. As instructors at the university, we The experience studied combines a theoretical part
encourage them to experiment, while strengthening their with a series of practical sessions. This combination
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skills and expertise with the camera and encouraging serves to adequately train students, both in the creation of

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/ac.1740