Celebrating Intergenerational Collaborations in the Arts
The generational gap appears to be getting wider as current tensions between Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are creating disagreements, and sometimes even all-out fights in homes, workplaces, and the Internet. Apart from having different perspectives on politics, economic views, and social values, it also doesn't help that we often come across narratives that pit one generation against another. Think about how younger people dismiss their elders with a sarcastic, “OK, Boomer,” or how older people say that Millennials and Gen Z are lazy and entitled.
Michael Bruter, a professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics, says that for intergenerational tensions to recede, we need to focus on our similarities rather than our differences. “What we really need to do is to be able to find ways to accommodate the hopes, the desires, the worries of different generations within the same collective system,” he explains. Having a shared outlet like art can also help bring people of all ages together, as various art forms can be used to express our hopes, dreams, and frustrations as human beings. Whether it's a mural, a painting, a fashion collection, or music, art can act as a universal language that bridges the generational divide.
EDM Superstars Release Generational Collab
Music can be beneficial for the brain and overall well-being since studies have found that it can reduce the risk of dementia, increase relaxation, and create opportunities to make meaningful connections with others sharing similar experiences. It can also be an instrument that brings different generations together since it fosters opportunities for knowledge sharing and creates a sense of community for both the young and old. Legendary duets like Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, as well as the unexpected genre blending featured in Carlos Santana's collaborations, are proof that people from different age groups can work together and create art that stands the test of time.
Intergenerational collabs usually happen in pop, orchestra, rock, and experimental music. But in 2025, EDM fans were treated to an iconic collaboration as seasoned DJs David Guetta, Martin Garrix, and Afrojack teamed up with rising festival progressive house artist Amel to create a track called “Our Time.” Despite their longtime friendship, this project marks the first time that the DJs worked together. According to Afrojack, the track represents what they all are as people and artists. “This release brings together four generations,” he explains. “It's a story that represents all of us, from where we started to where we are now.” The track earned massive praise from fans, with listeners saying that the collab seemed to have brought back the golden age of EDM.
Fashion Prodigy Teams Up with NYFW Creator
What happens when a nine-year-old fashion designer works with an industry leader? You get an amazing collection that's imbued with pure magic and whimsy. The fashion industry is taking notice as Max Alexander, who holds the Guinness World Record for Youngest Runway Fashion Designer, has teamed up with New York Fashion Week creator Fern Mallis to produce a line of caftans called Fern to the Max. The collection includes unique pieces such as a caftan covered in light pink sequins, a cheetah print caftan, and a tropical green caftan.
Alexander lovingly refers to Mallis as his fashion godmother, and in a September 2025 interview on the Tamron Hall Show the young designer said that the collection was Mallis’ idea. “Caftans, Fern loves caftans,” Alexander said. “So I brought some fabric to her apartment and we were like doing a whole thing with them.” On the show, Mallis revealed that she found the nine-year-old to be quite extraordinary and wise, adding that she often saw glimpses of a young Christian Siriano in the child.
Alexander started venturing into the world of fashion during his pre-school years, and he has often stated that he believes that he was Gucci in his past life. In 2021, he launched his Couture to the Max label, and since then, he's been working with fashion leaders and even had a mentorship session with Isaac Mizrahi. He has also created custom pieces for celebrity clients such as Sharon Stone and Debra Messing.
Initiatives That Foster Intergenerational Art Collaborations
Across the world, many individuals and organizations are taking steps to bridge the generational gap through art. In the Chicago area for instance, the Innovation 80s CoGen initiative is funding programs to encourage younger and older generations to create art together. Some of the grantees include Green Star Movement, a project using mosaic public art to build teamwork between young and elder artists, and Chicago West Community Music Center, a nonprofit that combines music instruction with life skills development to connect various age groups.
Participatory art initiatives have also been instrumental in bringing multiple generations together, enabling people to create stunning works while forming meaningful connections. There's The Centenarian Portrait Project which took place in Australia wherein 100 skilled teenage artists were paired with 100 people over the age of 100. The pairs met multiple times and the elders would tell stories about their experiences, and afterwards the artists created portraits of their partners which were displayed in a public exhibition. There's also the Neighborhood Lives and Memories project in Portugal wherein younger generations work with senior citizens to gather personal and historical materials, including correspondence, photos, mementos, journals, and videos. Together, they create an exhibit of these memories which are displayed at a festival that's open to the public.
Art can be a powerful tool to bridge the generational divide. Through artistic collaborations and working in judgment-free spaces, we can learn more about each other, reduce harmful stereotypes, and have a positive exchange of ideas, skills, and stories.
Jennifer Alder is a former musician turned freelance writer. Her passion for music lies mainly in songwriting, and now she uses her love of words in her daily work. Outside of writing, she enjoys European travel & crime novels.
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