Imagine a world with no artists…where Christopher Plummer never acted; where Gordon Lightfoot never sang about Canada; where Oscar Peterson never played; where Margaret Atwood never wrote; where Alanis Obomsawin never filmed.

Most Canadian artists persevere in the face of overwhelming odds, including incomes far below the national average.

Now imagine a world in which young artists have to start from scratch without a mentor or experienced advisor who could help direct them and potentially change their lives. The Canadian Artists Network encourages senior professional artists to continue their life’s work and, through initiatives such as our Artist to Artist Mentoring Program, helps prepare the next generation of Petersons, Mehtas, Kings, and Carrs.

CAN is committed to ensuring that senior professional artists live in an inclusive world where they can continue to pursue their careers and serve as role models for the next generation.

Land Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge that we live, work, create, and travel on the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples that have cared for this land, now called Canada, since time immemorial. We would like to also acknowledge this, as part of our covenant with all Indigenous nations, to share, respect and protect the land, in the spirit of peace and friendship, and to honour the future generations of all our nations.

CAN Events Calendar:

April 2025

Apr 24

24 April 2025

Webinar: AI For Artists

Info & Registration here.

Find out more

May 2025

May 13

13 May 2025

Online Salon

Find out more

June 2025

Jun 03

03 June 2025

Online Salon

Find out more

Webinar: Artificial Intelligence for Artists

Worried or intrigued about the impact of AI on your work? We will look into this in a free webinar on April 24th. Details and registration here.

CAN Artistic Advisor Talks About Our Mentoring Program

CAN Mentor and Artistic Advisor Guy Maddin talks to The Globe and Mail’s Barry Hertz about our program: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/article-how-guy-maddins-giant-brain-is-spreading-the-wisdom-of-senior-citizen/?login=true

CAN Board Member Dan Lyon advocates charitable donation tax extension

Dan Lyon co-authors an article in the January 23rd edition of the Globe & Mail that the deadline for having charitable donations apply to the previous tax year should be made permanent.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-extension-of-donation-deadline-due-to-postal-strike-should-be-made/

CAN Board Members at Prime Time in Ottawa

Members of the CAN board take a break from Prime Time in Ottawa to hold an impromptu meeting.

From L-R: Milly Ristvedt, Keith Martin Gordey, David Hope, Jan Miller, Louis-Alexandre Lanthier, Tonya Williams, Bob Underwood.

We have links to various services and programs offered by the Government of Canada, including a calculator that will help you determine what benefits you may be entitled to.

The Government of Ontario provides reductions in hydro bills for low income households. Find out more by clicking the button below.

The Distinguished Artists Who Advise The Canadian Artists Network

Artistic Advisory
Peggy Baker • Laurie Brown • Max Dean
Rita Shelton Deverell • Douglas Gibson
Lynda Hamilton • Evelyn Hart • Brenda Hoffert
Paul Hoffert • Thomas King • Jani Lauzon
Ranee Lee • Guy Maddin • Sheila McCarthy
Charles Pachter • R.H.Thomson
Mary Walsh • Paul Wong

In our Community's own words . . .

As is often the case, artists and the arts are ‘scouts’ – moving forward into cultural and social areas of exploration in significant ways that over time have broad societal resonance. The Canadian Artists Network is a focal point for awareness and support of activity by senior artists – with possible long-term implications as a model for seniors in other communities and areas of life.

The caliber of collective knowledge is superb. . The Canadian Artists Network is an amazing resource.

The Canadian Artists Network is demonstrating its value as a national forum for senior artists from all parts of Canada.

CSARN provides and reinforces a sense of artistic connection and prevents a sense of isolation. It’s a vehicle for education, both sharing and seeking. A wonderful resource.

The Canadian Artists Network is becoming an essential hub for senior artists of all stripes. Through an inventive strategy of conferences, workshops, referrals, newsletters, social media links, mentorships and an openness to other opportunities for outreach it can become a pivotal PASO (provincial arts service organisation) for 'artists in their prime.'

The Canadian Artists Network is a wonderful resource and source of support and nurturing for senior artists in all disciplines. Their workshops and conferences offer valuable information and contacts while helping us to develop much needed skills in what is an increasingly complicated technical world. They also offer practical advice and solutions to many obstacles that we face as we age.

Land Acknowledgment

CAN Events Calendar:

The Distinguished Artists Who Advise The Canadian Artists Network

In our Community's own words . . .

CAN Lead Sponsors:

Sponsors