Health Arts Societies / La SAMS 2022 Report

National Funders

Presented

by

Health Arts Society

Introduction

Health Arts Societies, Concerts in Care Ontario and La SAMS gratefully acknowledge the ongoing contributions of national funding partners Bank of Montreal and the Azrieli Foundation for the delivery of Concerts in Care/ Concerts en milieux de santé for audiences in care. The following is a brief summary of 2022 activities.

National Association of Health Arts Societies, Concerts in Care and La SAMS

An unincorporated association unites the seven societies sharing the mission to provide audiences in care with a regular schedule of professional concerts by local paid performers. The group of societies is dedicated to making the concert program a part of Canadian culture focussed on the improvement of life for Canada’s elders. The association holds regular meetings of the staff directors and board chairs of each society. 2022/2023 Chair: David Lemon, M.S.M., founder of Concerts in Care

2022 has been seen an excellent trajectory of new and returning audiences embracing the Concerts in Care programme in a post-COVID era. Health Arts Society (BC) presented 361 in-person Concerts in Care throughout British Columbia, in addition to 52 Concerts in Care Online (in partnership with HAS Alberta).

The legacy of the pandemic remains a challenge, particularly as facilities juggle constantly changing protocols, and some locations still remain completely shut to outside events. The isolation of this demographic over the past years remains a poignant reminder of the importance of Concerts in Care to help connect our isolated audiences with the performance community. Audiences this year have been thrilled with the resumption of Concerts in Care as part of the culture of their homes and as part of their re-connection with the community at large. Members of our performer roster has been commendable in their enthusiasm for the work, as well as in their ability to cope with often onerous health care protocols.

Adult Day Centres: A generous grant from Seedlings Foundation has enabled robust expansion of concert presentation in adult day centres throughout the Lower Mainland. These facilities are key players in British Columbia’s “ageing in place” strategy of providing daily activity programmes for seniors still living in their own homes.

Outdoor events: Of the 361 total concerts presented, over 40 took place outdoors during the warmer months of May through September. While a great challenge to both health care staff and performers, this was the only method of delivery for many months while COVID-19 protocols kept the doors of some homes shut to visitors.

Concerts in Care Online: Our online presence has been firmly established with this dynamic project, in partnership with Health Arts Society of Alberta. 52 online concerts were presented out in 2022 on a dedicated new portal: www.concertsincareonline.ca. A duplicate platform with the same material is also in use: www.concertsathome.ca for retirement residences, adult day centres and individuals living in their own homes. This partnership not only widens the range of music presented, but the format offers efficient concert delivery to facilities in both provinces. This weekly service is accessible to all audiences with internet access, and acts as an excellent “calling card” to introduce our work to new facilities. Several existing funders and donors have been flexible with the use of current grants and donations, allowing contributions to extend to this new project. A number of new granting opportunities have also netted funds towards the project.

Presented by Health Arts Society

by Health Arts Society

Corporate & Individual partners: London Drugs has returned as a corporate donor, with a contribution to Concerts in Care Online (for both BC and Alberta). In addition to the continued significant contributions of Bank of Montreal (nationally) and Odlum Brown (British Columbia presentation sponsor), a number of generous corporate donors in the Kootenays region have embraced the programme on behalf of those in care in their communities. These include Nelson and District Credit Union, Teck Metals, TD Bank Group and Columbia Power.

Public funders: Public funders have truly embraced the value of the Concerts in Care programme, and generous contributions have been received from the BC Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver, BC Gaming Commission and a number of public funders in the Kootenays region, notably the Columbia Basin Trust through the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and the Central Kootenay Regional District. Special COVID relief funds have been granted by BC Arts Council and Canada Council, and the new Cultural Impact Critical Assistance initiative from the City of Vancouver has provided funding to help pivot the work of Concerts in Care to online delivery.

Foundations: Excellent funding partnerships continue with the Azrieli Foundation, Martha Lou Henley Charitable Foundation, Seedlings Foundation, St. Paul’s Foundation, the JAYMAC Fund through the Victoria Foundation, ZLC Foundation, as well as two funds held at the Vancouver Foundation: the Osbertus Fund and the Smith-Sigurdson Fund. A substantial grant from the Community Foundations of Canada’s Health Communities was applied to the Concerts in Care Online programme.

Board development: The board continues in its goal to increase its numbers and further its geographic representation. A new member from the Kootenays region recently joined, and potential representation from Victoria and the Okanagan is currently being pursued. A newly-formed events committee is currently planning an awareness/fundraising event for spring 2023.

Honourary Patrons: Jane Coop, C.M., Suzie LeBlanc, C.M., Tania Miller

Board of Directors: Bruce Munro Wright, O.B.C. (President), David Cousins (Vice President), Anita Ghatak (Vice President), Janet Nixon (Treasurer), Sylvia L’Ecuyer, C.M., Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Secretary), Dr Alastair Carruthers, Greg Dawson, Michael Gallagher, Barbara-jo McIntosh, Paul Mitchell-Banks, Heather Peets, Chantal Ryan, Lynn Smith, Q.C., Sally Warren

Staff: Raymond Aucoin (Managing Director), Karen LeeMorlang (Artistic Director), Eri Kikuchi (Special Projects Coordinator)

“Karen [Lee-Morlang] is a long-time friend of ours and we are always in awe of her beautiful performance. We appreciate her enthusiasm, positive energy, and thoughtfulness in making our Chinese-speaking clients feel welcomed. Thank you and we look forward to welcoming her back soon! ”

—Staff, Renfrew Collingwood Seniors Centre

“We wanted to send a thank you from everyone here at Columbia House for the wonderful concert on Friday. The residents loved it, there were even a few tears. It brightened our week!”

Anna Fidork, Recreation Coordinator, Columbia House

“A difficult resident who grumbles all day long, and rarely sits still, was transfixed by the sound of the cello, and remained calm throughout the performance. It was magical … thank you!”

—Health care staff

“Wow! we really appreciate this opportunity! I went inside the page and I couldn’t stop watching the concerts! We currently have a tablet lending program and of our members immensely enjoy the benefits of participating in this program.”

Health care staff, re. Concerts in Care Online