The coronavirus is having a devastating impact on America’s arts sector. Since the first U.S. case was reported in January 2020, cancellations have taken place at virtually every arts organization in the country and artists/creative workers are among the most severely affected segment of the nation’s workforce. This is a summary of research by Americans for the Arts and others on the human and financial impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the arts.
Nationally, financial losses to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations are an estimated $15.2 billion, to date. 99% of producing and presenting organizations have cancelled events—a loss of 488 million admissions and $15.5 billion in audience spending at local businesses (e.g., restaurants, lodging, retail, parking). The total economic impact of organizational and audience-spending losses is $5.2 billion in lost government revenue and 894,000 jobs no longer being supported. Findings are based on 19,950 survey responses. (Survey. Dashboard.)
Although those arts and cultural organizations most severely impacted by the pandemic are anxious to reopen and engage with their communities, significant barriers remain.
Top 4 Barriers to Reopening:
- Customers unlikely to attend
- Government restrictions/guidelines
- Staff/board do not feel it is yet safe
- Impractical to produce art product in current environment
No legislative body is immune from members feeling passionate about their issues. I wouldn’t want my legislator any other way. But there is no excuse for “heckling from the back of the room†by a member – he should receive appropriate discipline. It is my sincere hope our local legislative leaders speak out against this behavior. They need to answer the question ‘what can they do to promote a just and fair environment in the state legislature’.
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