Cowles Active Learning Program
Get ready to participate in interactive and innovative experiences that connect you with a community of like-minded, intellectually curious peers.
Cowles Active Learning Program
Get ready to participate in interactive and innovative experiences that connect you with a community of like-minded, intellectually curious peers.
Exploring, Creating, and Connecting
The Cowles Active Learning Program presents a dynamic array of activities designed to spark creativity, promote learning, and cultivate meaningful connections. From immersive travel experiences to hands-on artistic workshops, this diverse collection provides enriching opportunities to explore and grow.
Exciting new offerings are on the horizon, including thought-provoking speakers, writing workshops, storytelling sessions, and captivating live performances. Stay tuned for more!
Our Offerings
Lives Well Lived Documentary Screening
Friday, January 30, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Join filmmaker Sky Bergman for a screening of her film Lives Well Lived followed by a live Q&A. Lives Well Lived celebrates the incredible wit, wisdom and experiences of adults aged 75 to 100 years old. Through their intimate memories and inspiring personal histories encompassing over 3,000 years of experience, forty people share their secrets and insights to living a meaningful life.
Registration Required. Click here to register.
Learn more about the director here.
This program is an offering of Vivalon’s Cowles Active Learning Program.
Bridging Generations Brunch
Sunday, January 11, 11:30am-1:00pm
Join Bridging Generations, a unique program that brings people of all ages together over shared meals and meaningful conversations. It’s more than just a meal — it’s a chance to exchange stories, learn from different generations, and make lasting connections.
This month’s theme is Rituals and Traditions. We are thrilled to partner with JFCS’ YouthFirst teen program for this event!
Registration required. Call 415-456-9062 to register.
Cost: $7/members, $10/non-members
Location: In-Person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus, 999 Third Street, San Rafael
Become a Student Host
Want to earn more service hours while bringing people together?
Host a dinner session and help spark meaningful conversations!
Hosting a Bridging Generations dinner session is a great way to contribute to the Vivalon community, build leadership skills, and connect with others—all while earning valuable service hours.
As a host, you’ll take the lead on:
- Dinner Topic Generation – Choose a topic that inspires discussion, learning, or connection.
- Meal Procurement – Organize or provide a meal for attendees (homemade, catered, or store-bought—your choice!).
- Set-Up and Clean-Up – Prepare the space before and after the event to ensure a welcoming environment.
Whether you’re passionate about bringing people together or looking to fulfill service requirements in a meaningful way, hosting a session is a fun and rewarding opportunity.
Ready to host?
Reach out to Michele Levine, [email protected], to learn more or sign up.
Art Workshops
Tuesdays, January 13-27 10:00am – 12:00pm
This is class one in a 4-part series. There will be an option to move up to Intermediate after completing the Beginner series.
Instructor Ian Day is coming to Vivalon to offer a new class on drawing! Using many different mediums and based on principles from “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain”, students will be assigned beginning exercises in line, light and shadow, perspective and proportion as they draw objects in space. Fundamentals of composition will be introduced emphasizing balance and spatial relationships. Materials used will consist of drawing pads, pencils, erasers and charcoal. Class will also include a brief lecture period, demonstrations, critiques and supervision of student progress. Homework may include sketchbook renderings.
Cost: $25 for members and $40 for non-members. All materials and supplies will be provided.
Registration required. Call 415-456-9062 x8705 to register.
Location: In person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus: 999 Third Street, San Rafael
WE ARE A MEMBER OF
92NY will resume in 2026. Stay tuned for details!
Enjoy a series of viewings of 92NY’s world-class programming and renowned events. Join us for inspiring talks, concerts, performances, and more, featuring some of the biggest names in arts, education, culture, and politics.
$7 for members | $10 for non-members per event Discount available if you purchase all four events.
Registration required. Call 415-456-9062 to register.
Location: In-Person at Vivalon Healthy Aging Campus, 999 Third Street, San Rafael
An offering of Vivalon’s Cowles Active Learning Program.
About 92NY
For over 150 years, the 92nd Street Y (92NY) has been a cornerstone of arts, education, and community—bringing together some of the most influential voices of our time. It’s the stage where legends like Tony Curtis, Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, Arthur Miller, Kurt Vonnegut and Elie Wiesel made early appearances or debuted iconic works. Today, 92NY continues to deliver world-class programming that inspires, informs, and connects people of all backgrounds and beliefs—building community through culture and conversation.
Four-Week Storytelling Series
Corey Rosen joined us once again for another round of his hit storytelling series! Hone your storytelling skills by crafting diverse tales and employing strategic editing elements. At the end of this four-week series, showcase your refined narratives with family, friends, and peers at an engaging storytelling event.
Stay tuned for future offerings of this series!
What Participants Are Saying
Meet Phoebe Cowles
Phoebe is a visionary with a passion for learning. Thanks to her generosity, Marin’s older adults have access to the Active Learning Program’s innovative and unique educational experiences at Vivalon.
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