Most of us know how enriching it can be to seed fund an idea or practice, and to give encouragement and confidence, time and space for reflection at critical moments of a young person’s life – so why are we not making the same offer to an older person?
In November I joined an online seminar to listen to the life journeys of older emerging artists supported by Luminate’s bursary programme.
I have long admired Anne Gallacher’s approach to creative ageing. When she first came into post at Luminate the first thing she did was to commission a Scottish poet to come up with a name for ‘a creative ageing festival’ and Luminate was born. Now that’s innovation, creativity and celebrating age.
Luminate has been supporting older emerging artists from all sorts of backgrounds in different ways since 2017. Their vision ‘is to ensure older people’s creativity can flourish whatever their circumstances, experience, interests and ambitions.”
The current bursary scheme is funded by the Baring Foundation. Under David Cutler the Foundation has championed creative ageing since 2010 by funding and hosting programmes and events not just in the UK but also internationally, and is currently leading on a new international network, iCAN.
The seminar introduced us to three very different older emerging artists at various stages of their lives and in the life of their bursary. They had been awarded between £500 and £1000 each. This small amount of money has gone a long way and enabled much: their dreams, their “trials and errors”, it has established a structure for their craft, facilitated mentoring, brought them new connections and networks.
It has opened doors that had been closed because they are an ‘older’ artist.
It’s tough for older writers to find agents….I know that agents are often looking for a long term career to develop and support.
David Taylor
They spoke much of validation. Writer David Taylor – aka Don J Taylor – has just received the James Muir Poetry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers, possibly on the back of this bursary.
I thought my chance had passed. I’m probably overeducated, definitely an overthinker. And that could lead to overwriting and being too self-critical.
David Taylor
Taking care to listen to older artists and then enabling their creative aspirations at any stage of their career should not be innovation. Nurturing their creative selves should not be an awe-inspiring event but it seems it is in 2025.
It seems to me that our UK society is perhaps a little short sighted by rarely valuing what older people can offer – we have experience, knowledge and wisdom and, as demonstrated by this seminar, are very willing to learn new tricks.
News articles often report on us as a burden on society and family; we are told we are a drain on the NHS and care services despite our years of hard work and paying taxes and national insurance. And there’s rumour that our pensions might be taxed in coming years.
We have lived very full and varied lives and now, with at least another 20 or 30 years ahead of us, it is absolutely the moment to imagine fulfilling a dream or starting a new career. And why not a creative career despite cuts to arts funding? The arts help us to reimagine ourselves, reinvigorated by that creative lens.
We are told via a mountain of research that the arts are beneficial for our mental, physical, and social wellbeing. That they strengthen communities and reduce isolation. That they make for a happier healthier and more connected society.
…now research is fun. Progress on the novel was slower than I thought. Meanwhile, I kept writing and submitting short fiction and poetry...I’ve also read excerpts from the novel at open mics, along with the poetry and short form fiction.
David read us an excerpt from his novel:
…the woodwind’s reedy flights, bellow of brass and the sugared guile of violins. All of it, all the cheating, cheap loveliness of it, the lying conniving con of it, the greediness, the sexiness, and the shameless look-at- me-ness of it. I loved it all.
Liz Bertram-Gossan, “a self-taught” ceramicist, started by showing us a short film of her wonderful work. As a child in the ‘60s she had won “the first prize of the Brook Bond Infants Art competition – the British Tea Company, Brook Bond, sponsored an educational award”. Despite this her art skills went largely unnoticed for many years, and following a foundation course in art as a young adult she moved away from formal arts training, choosing a different career path. 38 years later she returned to her passion of ceramics, winning the Scottish Potters Association prize in 2024 and 2025.
What she was able to do with Luminate’s bursary was to be supported through a learning process, and to have space and time for reflection. Importantly she understands her “ability being recognised” and that she “was worth investing in.”
…over the six months, I made over 630 test pieces. I did 12 firings for the testing.
I explored 22 glaze recipes using lots of different colouring oxidises. I’d achieved four recipes I’m happy with… I’ve now got a firing schedule that works consistently across my big kiln, my small kiln. And most importantly, I’ve got a solid knowledge base and the confidence to continue with my experimental glazing work.
Christine Kydd, an established folk singer, is only a few months into her bursary. A genetic cancer diagnosis and recovery forced her to reconsider her life as a singer.
I discovered that my great great grandmother in Aberdeenshire had died at the age of 60 in 1865 of neck cancer.
With the bursary she has gained confidence and focus: “I’m working on a new form, from a basic narrative to what aims to be a multimedia small theatre piece.” Engaging with the process seems to have triggered positive serendipitous practical help, support and interest.
During the process of diagnosis and treatment, singers and songs appeared in her life and these formed a basis of ideas for a narrative. With dramaturg and director on board, the exploration continues. The bursary has been crucial.
It gave me an endorsement to actually get on with what has now become not a linear narrative, but actually more like a kind of…… we don’t even know yet. Apparently I’m now a writer – who knew? It’s exciting and wonderful to explore a new form and a new challenge.
Perhaps we should hold careers’ days for 60- to 70-year-olds – either that or we need more bursary schemes like Luminate’s for older artists and Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme 2022 – 2025.
With careful and thoughtful support our creative endeavours should be encouraged by funders and arts organisations. In the long run I believe it will keep health and social care bills down for us all. It will grow a happier and more productive older population radiating confidence strength and cohesion. ‘Second chance’ was voiced by all three artists many times and it should be afforded to us older artists.
Article written by Arti Prashar OBE Theatremaker, consultant and Co-Chair of the Board of England’s national Creative Ageing Development Agency (CADA).
Arti stepped down as Spare Tyre’s Artistic Director/CEO in August 2019 after inspirational and acclaimed leadership for 19 years. She developed inclusive creative practice championing diverse voices, and is at the forefront of immersive sensory theatre practice for living with dementia and learning disabled people.