My 30th and final year in arts research

I’ll retire in February of 2027

Today’s article was a tougher one to write.

On February 10, 1997, I started working as an arts researcher thanks to my new job as a Research and Policy Analyst at the Ontario Arts Council.

I know that you all love math. (That’s my legacy, right??? Getting a bunch of artsy folks to love math? Lol.)

Given your strong math skills, you know that means that I will hit 30 years of arts research in February of 2027.

At that time, I will retire.

Sauble Beach sunset. Photo by Kelly Hill. More of this!

I have really enjoyed this 30 year ride, and I have you all to thank for that. 31 years ago, I didn’t even know what “arts research” might involve. Also, when I started at the OAC, I never would have dreamed that I’d be in this line of work for 30 years, nor that I’d manage my own business for most of it. (I left the OAC to start Hill Strategies in 2002.)

Why leave now? Partly because there are many new challenges on the horizon, and I just don’t feel like I have the energy to take them on. And partly because my business has decreased since the pandemic, which has mostly been OK with me. I love my non work life, and that’s where I’ll focus my efforts as of February.

Photo by Erik McLean on Unsplash

Again, thanks to you all for paying attention, for being clients (often clients-slash-friends), for being great collaborators, and for making this work possible. I absolutely have to thank my spouse, Robin Cameron, for her support and sage counsel, from the founding of Hill Strategies through today’s announcement.

My last article in the Statistical insights on the arts series will be on February 9, 2027. Completing 30 years, to the day! I’ll continue to publish regularly until then, maybe with some weeks off here and there, for a change. So please keep paying attention!

Love,

Kelly