Artists in Supporting Elderly Well-being through Arts-based Initiatives

Description

This study explores the experiences of professionally trained artists working in elderly care settings in the Netherlands. While the benefits of arts-based initiatives for senior citizens are well-documented, there is limited understanding of the experiences, motivations, and challenges faced by the artists who lead these initiatives. Through 23 in-depth interviews with 26 artists, this research investigates how they incorporate their artistic practices into care environments and how these roles influence sustainable career paths. Using the Gioia methodology for data analysis, the study identifies seven key dimensions from the data: (1) Motivational Foundations, (2) Core Competencies, (3) Multidimensional Challenges, (4) Navigating Complex Realities, (5) Artists’ Perceived Roles, (6) Personal and Emotional Rewards, and (7) Conditions for Career Sustainability. Based on these findings and the relationships among the emerging dimensions, a grounded model titled ‘The Journey of Artists in Eldercare Settings’ was developed. This model captures how initial motivations evolve into profound artistic and emotional commitments, illustrating how artists navigate the complex realities of their field to sustain their careers.

Period	24 Jun 2025
Event title	23rd International Conference for the Association for Cultural Economics International (ACEI)
Event type	Conference
Location	Rotterdam, NetherlandsShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International