Health Arts Society was established by David Lemon in early 2006 to meet the need for high quality live professional arts programmes for elders in residential care.
Combined with its sister societies in every province, the organisation is now the largest arts presenter in Canada to audiences in health care and retirement communities. The Society’s “Concerts in Care” programme acts as a conduit between the professional performance community and those who cannot now enjoy performances in concert halls and theatres.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should performers be paid? Wouldn’t they do this work as a service?
A great many performers have visited health care sites as volunteers, but artists cannot be expected to give away their services on a regular basis. This is not presumed of health care staff or any other person who works for a living. Health Arts performances are professional, consistent and regularly delivered. It is entirely appropriate and necessary that the work of performer partners of the Society be paid for.
Is a range of genres available?
Programmes usually feature from one to four performers offering a wide range of genres including Western classical music, Broadway, jazz, folk, traditional Chinese music, and spoken word.
How do you know the work is beneficial?
The delighted reactions of audiences and staff have been assurance enough that the programmes are beneficial, but we are not surprised by the responses. After all, we provide performances for people like all of us but who are isolated from access to arts by reason of illness or frailty. Although health care site staff do their best to provide a living environment that is stimulating and interesting for patients, health authorities have not established formalised and budgeted quality of life programmes for people in long term care. Elders in residence will probably be spending the last years of their lives in an institution. These are people who made our place for us, we think we should be making life engaging and enjoyable for them.
I have other questions. How can I get answers to them?
Angela Brooks, Managing Director of Health Arts Society, will be pleased to try to answer all questions about the work of the Society. Call 778.385.4552 or email angela@healtharts.org.
