A research report has found that about 700,000 Australians are paying over the odds to the tune of an average $650 a year by failing to switch to a pension account – highlighting the need for super funds to improve their services.
Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones is finally addressing the retirement industry’s elephant in the room – how super funds continually fail to meet the expectations of members once they are in the pension phase.
There’s a fine art in knowing how to get enjoyment out of retirement
The arts are a universal language that transcends boundaries and cultures. It has the power to inspire, provoke thought and bring people together. Yet, we’re not getting enough of it. A survey by Creative Australia, 2022 National Arts Participation Survey, Creating Value, found 49 per cent of Australians say that they’re not attending as many artistic experiences as they would like to.
On the positive side, more Australians are increasingly engaging with the arts online (88 per cent in 2022, up from 82 per cent in 2019). However, almost two-thirds missed the atmosphere of a live event, exhibition and/or experience when viewing online (60 per cent).
The main barriers to arts attendance are cost and location. Although anyone can pick up a book or listen to music over a streaming service, many of the finer artistic experiences that people covet – concerts and theatre, for example – are highly localised to the main Australian cities.
It can also be expensive, which isn’t great when you’re on a retirement budget, especially during the current cost of living crisis.
However, there are ways to overcome these barriers and get more into the arts. One solution is to simply seek out local experiences. Many towns and communities host local arts festivals, exhibitions and performances. Most towns have small theatres for community and amateur groups. These events are often more affordable and accessible than those in the larger cities, and they offer a great opportunity to engage with the arts.
What’s more, the performers absolutely love having an audience, and you’re doing them a favour by supporting young and aspiring artists get experience and exposure.
Another option is to explore online arts platforms. The digital age has made the arts more accessible than ever before. Many museums, galleries and theatres now offer virtual tours, online exhibitions and live-streamed performances. For example, it might not be quite the same experience as going to the theatre, but Australia Theatre Live, a ‘Netflix for theatre’, gives you the experience of those performances, at home, for a very low cost.
Community art classes are another excellent way to engage with the arts by making art. These classes are often affordable and cater to a range of skill levels. They provide a hands-on experience with art and offer the opportunity to learn new skills, meet like-minded individuals and express oneself creatively.
Libraries also offer a wealth of resources for arts enthusiasts. Many libraries loan out art books and DVDs, host art talks and workshops and even display artworks. This makes libraries a valuable, and often underutilised, resource for those looking to get more into art.
For those concerned about the cost of attending arts events, it’s worth looking into discounts and concessions. Many arts organisations offer discounted tickets for seniors and other concession card holders. Some also offer rush tickets – heavily discounted tickets sold on the day of the event.
Finally, volunteering is another great way to engage with the arts. Many arts festivals and organisations rely on volunteers to help run events. Volunteering not only provides free access to events but also offers the opportunity to see behind the scenes and meet artists and arts workers.
Often the perception that the arts are inaccessible or expensive is just that – perception. Once you start looking into it further, you’ll find any number of ways to engage with your favourite art from, and the Australian arts community will certainly appreciate your interest and support.
It was the 19th century American essayist, lecturer, philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote ‘every artist was first an amateur’ – a thought worth remembering if deciding to embark on an artistic project in your golden years.
