In 2006, a group of artists’ associations and individuals came together in response to the growing awareness of the serious challenges facing Canada’s professional senior artists. With the intention of developing programs and services to respond to these challenges, they launched the Senior Artists Research Project (SARP) in 2009 to investigate the circumstances, situation, needs and interests of senior artists.
 
There were three components to the research:
•    Relevant international models of support for senior artists were researched by Kelly Hill of Hill Strategies Research Inc.
•    Research into the situation of Canadian senior artists, including a quantitative electronic and paper survey as well as focus groups meetings across Canada, was conducted by Kelly Hill.
•    Services that currently exist for senior artists in Canada were researched and summarized by Joysanne Sidimus, SARP Project Director and Celine Marks, Project Administrator.
Based on the survey and focus group sessions, the research report on Canadian senior artists examines the circumstances of professional artists in the areas of finances, career, housing, health and isolation.
 
The survey generated an excellent return (1,512 professional artists), representing well the demographic, geographic, language and sectoral breakdown of the country’s professional artists. Respondents work in a variety of disciplines, including film, television, other recorded media, theatre, visual and media arts, literary arts / writing, music, dance, interdisciplinary arts, storytelling, teaching, mime, puppetry and performance poetry. However, as with any voluntary survey, those in the most difficult circumstances (and therefore the strongest need) are least likely to respond.
 
Using the survey data, an assessment of the risk factors of senior artists found that:
•    46% of artists 55 or over (about 18,000 Canadians) are at high risk in at least one of five key areas: finances, health, housing, isolation and/or artistic career or legacy.
•    15% of artists 55 or over (about 6,000 Canadians) are at high risk in more than one area.
An examination of both high and moderate risk levels in each area found that:
•    61% of senior artists are at either moderate or high financial risk.
•    73% are at moderate or high health risk.
•    19% are at moderate or high housing risk.
•    28% are at moderate or high risk of isolation.
•    42% of elder artists are at moderate or high risk with regards to their artistic career or legacy.
Thirty-five percent of senior artists have annual income from all sources that is less than $20,000, including 16% of senior artists who have income less than $10,000.
 
While 86% of senior artists have a savings, investment or pension plan, 54% of all senior artists report that the total value of their retirement savings is less than $100,000. Forty-six percent of senior artists have no life insurance.
 
The overwhelming majority of artists do not retire. Only 5% of respondents reported that they are “no longer working on their art”, and 76% expect they will never stop working.
 
In relation to their careers, the report found that:
•    34% of senior artists feel they have been discriminated against because of their age.
•    73% of report having career-related needs, such as professional development, marketing or promotion, computer skills, finding work, legal assistance, etc.
One of the most pressing needs reported was the need for information itself. Many senior artists feel out of the loop and unaware of what services currently exist. Numerous participants suggested that a central source for information would be very welcome. If made available in English and French through a website and telephone helpline, such information would benefit senior artists across the country.
 
Many more details from the research are available on the Hill Strategies website.

http://www.hillstrategies.com/resources_details.php?resUID=1000369