ETSU Reece Museum hosts SPARK! programming, creates a safe space for people with memory loss

ETSU’s Reece Museum partnered with Alzheimer’s Tennessee Northeast Tennessee to implement SPARK! in 2018; at the time that they established their program, they were the fourth location in the country to offer SPARK!. Once a month, ETSU's Reece Museum becomes a sanctuary for people with memory loss and their caregivers to immerse themselves in cultural experiences and connect with others. “SPARK! is a cultural programming experience for social engagement,” said Tracey Wilson, regional director of the Alzheimer’s Tennessee Northeast Tennessee office.

“It is a comfortable, supportive, failure free environment where individuals can thrive and caregivers cannot feel that sense of anxiety about interactions.” SPARK! programming is a nationwide movement that began in 2009. Currently, there are SPARK! Alliance institutions situated in Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota and Tennessee.

“Bringing a sense of purpose is something that this program is designed to do,” Wilson said. ETSU’s Reece Museum partnered with Alzheimer’s Tennessee Northeast Tennessee to implement SPARK! in 2018; at the time that they established their program, they were the fourth location in the country to offer SPARK!. Rebecca Proffitt became the director of the Reece Museum in 2019.

Having joined the museum following the establishment of SPARK!, Proffitt was excited to continue working with Wison to ensure the community still had access to the programming. Proffitt said that SPARK.