CSARN [pronounced ‘see-sarn’] engages elder professional artists in Canada – that is, artists who, either by age or years of experience, consider themselves elders in their field – in their desire to continue their life’s work as creators, in the visual and performing arts, through the written word, and on production teams.

As the voice of Canada’s elder artists, we offer a supportive, inclusive, and like-minded community, as well as programs and services that enable artists of every discipline to remain relevant, connected, informed and inspired.

Land Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge that we live, work, meet, and travel on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples that have cared for this land, now called Canada, since time immemorial. We would like to also acknowledge this, as part of our covenant with all Indigenous nations, to share, respect and protect the land, in the spirit of peace and friendship, and to honour the future generations of all our nations.

Current News & Happenings

January 2023

Jan 31

31 January 2023

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February 2023

Feb 21

21 February 2023

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CSARN Board Members Advocate on Behalf of Older Artists
CSARN Board members Marie Poulin and Tonya Williams attended the Annual Public Meeting of the Canada Council for the Arts on January 24th. Senator Poulin thanked outgoing CEO Simon Brault for his work on behalf of artists and emphasized the need for the Council to support older artists because Creativity Lives Forever.

International Day of Older Persons
October 1st marked the International Day of Older Persons. The United Nations designated this year to honour The Resilience and Contributions of Older Women.

Many people around the world have been celebrating the life of a woman who embodies that theme. Queen Elizabeth was remarkable in her dedication, service, and resilience throughout her long life.

But there are many, many others. Older women demonstrate resilience and strength, every day, with varying recognition for doing so. One such older woman is Lisa LaFlamme, whose abrupt displacement from CTV National News caused a public uproar in Canada and around the world. Many blamed ageism as the cause for her dismissal.

Ageism has been called the last acceptable form of prejudice. The indignation surrounding the firing of Ms. LaFlamme gives us hope though, that ageism may soon be totally unacceptable.

Old age is not a symbol of lost potential. Old age is a symbol of wisdom, and grace, of strength and survivorship, a signal to the world that you’ve triumphed over all kinds of vicissitudes and disappointments. Because as an older person, you’ve learned over time the hard lessons of how to face with courage, vigor, and fortitude whatever new challenges are waiting just around the corner.

That is the message of CSARN, the Canadian Senior Artists Resource Network, on whose Artistic Advisory I am proud to serve. We are a cohort with decades of experience; decades of talent; decades of knowledge. CSARN is our voice and it represents us as we continue our life’s work.

As we celebrate the International Day of Older Persons and this year’s theme, we are proud to say that Canada’s elder female [and male] artists are resilient. We have had to be. We live in a world where artists are undervalued. The average income of an artist is well below the Canadian average and always has been. Many people don’t consider being an artist a ‘real job.’

We older artists have challenged the establishment our entire lives, and we have no intention of being sidelined and no intention going ‘gentle into that good night.’ We have too much yet to say and too much yet to do. We are: strong, resilient, and valuable.

Signed,

Mary Walsh CM
CSARN Artistic Advisor

Bill S-208
CSARN congratulates Senator Patricia Bovey as her Bill S-208, An Act respecting the Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada, receives third reading in the Senate. The bill now moves to the House of Commons.

Own the Missing Painting…
…and support CSARN. We have opened ticket sales for a very special raffle. The prize: a painting created by noted artist [and CSARN mentor] Bernard Poulin. Click here for details.

CSARN Stands in Solidarity with Artists in Ukraine
CSARN joins with many artists and their organizations, in Canada and around the world, in condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. All are united in expressing solidarity with artists in Ukraine affected personally by this unjust war, those in Russia jailed for trying to tell the truth, and all artists facing aggression, violent conflict and censorship.

To find out more, we invite you to contact one of the many groups, which span all artistic disciplines: CARFAC, L’Union des artistes, TWUC, Canadian Actors’ Equity and others in Canada; CISAC, International Music Council, International Council of Museums, Fédération Internationale des Acteurs and many more globally, including the Ukrainian Emergency Art Fund.

Join our Online Salons
CSARN presents regular discussion groups on topics of interest to elder artists. Click here to check the schedule and to sign up.

COVID-19 Resources:
If you need information on dealing with the coronavirus – or issues with the healthcare system – CSARN offers a free hotline service called HealthCare Assist & Connect. In addition, our FYI page has links to provincial and federal websites as well as other resources. And check out our Facebook Page where we are sharing some of the ways artists, and people in general, are handling the pandemic.

Get information on the Coronavirus and links to provincial and territorial health sites by clicking the button below.

We have links to various services and programs offered by the Government of Canada, including a calculator that will help you determine what benefits you may be entitled to.

The Government of Ontario provides reductions in hydro bills for low income households. Find out more by clicking the button below.

The Distinguished Artists Who Advise CSARN

Honorary Board Member
Gordon Pinsent

Artistic Advisory
Peggy Baker • Laurie Brown • Max Dean
Rita Shelton Deverell • Douglas Gibson
Lynda Hamilton • Evelyn Hart • Brenda Hoffert
Paul Hoffert • Thomas King • Jani Lauzon
Ranee Lee • Guy Maddin • Sheila McCarthy
R.H.Thomson • Mary Walsh • Paul Wong

In our Community's own words . . .

As is often the case, artists and the arts are ‘scouts’ – moving forward into cultural and social areas of exploration in significant ways that over time have broad societal resonance. CSARN is a focal point for awareness and support of activity by senior artists – with possible long-term implications as a model for seniors in other communities and areas of life.

The caliber of collective knowledge is superb. CSARN is an amazing resource.

CSARN is demonstrating its value as a national forum for senior artists from all parts of Canada.

CSARN provides and reinforces a sense of artistic connection and prevents a sense of isolation. It’s a vehicle for education, both sharing and seeking. A wonderful resource.

CSARN is becoming an essential hub for senior artists of all stripes. Through an inventive strategy of conferences, workshops, referrals, newsletters, social media links, mentorships and an openness to other opportunities for outreach it can become a pivotal PASO (provincial arts service organisation) for 'artists in their prime.'

CSARN is a wonderful resource and source of support and nurturing for senior artists in all disciplines. Their workshops and conferences offer valuable information and contacts while helping us to develop much needed skills in what is an increasingly complicated technical world. They also offer practical advice and solutions to many obstacles that we face as we age.

As the voice of Canada’s elder artists, we offer a supportive, inclusive, and like-minded community, as well as programs and services that enable artists of every discipline to remain relevant, connected, informed and inspired.

Land Acknowledgment

Current News & Happenings

The Distinguished Artists Who Advise CSARN

In our Community's own words . . .

CSARN Lead Sponsors: