Ouch! The Artist's Body and How to Care for It Long Term

The 2023 US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook states that artists and related workers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Yet there is scant research on artists’ injuries arising from their artistic practice. While much emphasis is rightly placed on artists' creative output, the toll on their bodies due to long periods of standing, sitting, lifting, repetitive arm, shoulder, hand, and neck movements, and other physical demands is frequently ignored.

How can the musculoskeletal health of artists be studied with information widely disseminated? How can we promote the integration of ergonomics and body mechanics into safety protocols within educational settings and studios?

We invite proposals for a roundtable discussion addressing this often neglected yet essential aspect of an artist’s life: their physical well-being. Please note: this is not a session to dispense “tips.” Those are incredibly valuable, but the focus of this conversation is to delve into ways to systematically gather information about artists’ challenges related to their musculoskeletal health and practice and how to share that information freely in a manner that is easy to find and use.

We encourage proposals from artists, health professionals, educators, and researchers with deep expertise in areas related to the physical well-being of artists. Your knowledge and insights are highly valued in this discussion.