Creative Artists (including but not limited to singers, actors, dancers, writers and musicians) work in a demanding industry. Unemployment, underemployment and a short employment lifespan as well as a competitive environment and difficult working conditions have been established as challenges. This symposium will present the results of four studies investigating the mental health, wellbeing and experience of creative artists in Australia. Each paper presents findings related to the experiences of creative artists in their industry, and the implications this has for mental health.

The symposium will present general findings related to the mental health of creative artists, before presenting specific research on musical theatre performers, singer songwriters and artists from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

The first paper will present the results of a quantitative study into the mental health of performing artists. It will discuss the higher rates of mental health symptomatology, suicidality and substance use, together with factors that potentially contribute to these.

These concepts will continue in the discussion of the second paper which will present the results of a qualitative study investigating the lived experience of musical theatre performers. This paper will discuss the experience of this population and how this impacts on their overall mental health. Themes including attitudes within the performing arts community, a reticence to disclose poor mental health, culture, and a lack of external recognition were identified as key contributors.

The third paper will present the results of a qualitative exploration of Australian singer-songwriters’ perceptions and experiences of work stress. It will discuss the findings that indicated singer-songwriters experience high job demands, low job resources, and few coping tools. These factors contribute to various negative outcomes including mental health problems, low self-worth, and sleep disorders. The work will be discussed in the context that singer-songwriters reports that demands and resources differ from those documented in the literature for musicians and singers; thus their experiences should be considered unique.
The fourth study will present results of a study investigating the lived experience of artists (musicians, dancers, a writer, singer, visual artist, actor and performance artist) from CALD backgrounds. It will discuss the identified themes related to the creation of art, culture, acculturation, identity and well-being for this community. Due to barriers to participation in the industry and low levels of access to support, CALD artists are a very vulnerable population. However they may also be a community with a critical role in facilitating intercultural communication in an environment of increasing diversity.

Despite converging themes across this body of literature, the research into distinct occupations and CALD artists indicates there is not homogeneity in the experience of creative artists and this should be considered when supporting this population.

The findings of these studies will be discussed as an overall picture of mental health in the creative arts industry, with a focus on the implications for interventions when working with this population. These include community level interventions such as changes to creative arts education curriculum, education programs about mental health within the creative arts community, and education about working with the creative arts.

Presenters:
Glen Hosking
Laura Clarke
Trisnasari Fraser