From Teachers College, Columbia
University, comes a summary of an in-depth report on aging artists. The study
was done by Joan Jeffri, Director of TC’s Graduate Program in Arts
Administration and is full of inspirational case studies.
Her conclusions: Armed with creativity
and devotion to their craft, artists are remarkably good at adapting as they
age. Even if they're not so good at the practical stuff—“setting up wills or
passing on their spaces”—they tend to stay active and plugged into networks of
friends and colleagues. Even more important, they continue to hope and dream.
Contrary to the stereotype, Jeffri has found that artists are not
typically depressed or suicidal and are, in fact, a better bet than most to
stay out of nursing homes. “Older artists have a great deal to offer us as a
model for society," she says, "especially as the workforce changes to
accommodate multiple careers and as baby boomers enter the retirement
generation.”
The full report (216pp) is available to download here.
(Many of the psychological angles of creativity, such as how to overcome fears and get the support of your friends and family for your work, are covered in my book, "Your Writing Coach," published by Nichoals Brealey and available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online and bricks-and-mortar retailers. It would also make a great present for your creative friends.)
