A Life Devoted to Art: The Social Situation of Older Artists
Zdeněk Rychtera
Rok vzniku: 2026,
A new case study, A Life Devoted to Art: The Social Situation of Older Artists, conducted for CIRG by Zdeněk Rychtera, draws on seven in-depth interviews with artists from various disciplines. The research shows that senior artists often rely on multiple sources of income and rarely develop systematic retirement plans. Their financial security in old age depends largely on home ownership, family support, and income from continued employment or artistic work. For many, retirement does not mark the end of their professional careers but instead offers an opportunity to devote more time to their artistic practice.
The study highlights the need for better social protection for artists, improved financial education, and stronger support from professional organizations. It offers valuable insights for cultural policymakers and artists planning for their future.
The research report was produced as part of the project Comprehensive Research and Support for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries in the Olomouc Agglomeration, co-funded by the European Union.
download the report in PDF
Cirg - about
CIRG – the Cultural Industries Research Group focuses on research into cultural and media industries, particularly on current issues, challenges, and conflicts arising from tensions between intellectual property law, the business models of cultural industries, the digitalization and platformization of cultural sectors, and changing consumer habits. The group’s name is an acronym of its English title, Cultural Industries Research Group. CIRG is an informal association of experts from media studies, intellectual property law, media law, media ethics, cultural economics and cultural management, sociology of culture, and data analysis. The group operates on the basis of project-based funding through applied research projects (TAČR, NAKI, EEA and Norway Grants, OP JAK Intersectoral Cooperation), basic research projects (GAČR, ZIF Bielefeld, OP VVV Excellent Research, DFG), as well as contract research (State Cinematography Fund, Association of Audiovisual Producers).
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Screen Industries in Central and Eastern Europe Research Group
SIRG
Charles University
Department of Film Studies
Lab head: Petr Szczepanik
sirg@ff.cuni.cz
PhD
We offer the opportunity to pursue doctoral study focused on developing and carrying out your own research projects in the field of cultural and media industries. The programme can be undertaken at Palacký University Olomouc, Charles University, or the Prague University of Economics and Business under the supervision of leading experts in media studies, cultural economics, digital ethics, and copyright law.
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