Mama Foundation for the Arts
SU-CASA Collaboration
In partnership with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)'s SU-CASA program, Mama has brought its African American music curriculums, vocal techniques, music mentorship, and community arts education programs to older adult centers throughout the Harlem area. Starting in 2025, older adults---many of whom either had not sung in many years or had never sung in a chorus--- learn how to harmonize as a vocal ensemble, express their individuality through improvisation, and grow in community through music.
Older Adults Sing!
Through this year's SU-CASA partnership, Mama engaged more than 30 older adult members at the Canaan Senior Service Center in a series of intergenerational vocal workshops, culminating in a successful final celebratory performance for other members of the older adult community. Participants were given the opportunity to participate in collective music-making, talk about their musical backgrounds and Harlem stories, and celebrate the African American music genres of Gospel, Jazz, and R&B! This "Older Adults Sing!" Program was also brought in previous years to the Polo Grounds Older Adult Center and the River Terrace Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, collectively reaching nearly 100 older adults in Harlem across its short two-year span.
About
SU-CASA is a community arts engagement program that places artists and organizations in residence at senior centers across New York City. The program, funded in FY26 by the New York City Council, provides grants to artists and organizations for the creation and delivery of arts programming for seniors. Teaching artists will engage participating seniors in an art project or series of cultural programs over the course of the residency, which will also include a public program component – an exhibit, reading, performance, open house, or other cultural interaction open to the surrounding community. The program will support residencies for individual artists and cultural organizations at senior centers across the City’s 51 Council districts.
