Coronavirus has had a devastating impact on the arts industry with 45% of its workforce being furloughed, alongside many performing arts venues remaining closed due to government restrictions. An Oxford Economics’ report warns of a ''cultural catastrophe'' with 400,000 job losses and £75bn of lost earnings across the sector. People within the industry are having to find ways to support themselves. Quite simply, more needs to be done by the Government to help support the industry.
Last week saw various arts protests across the country as workers in the sector aimed to highlight the lack of support for their industry during the pandemic. Despite the £1.57bn support package which was announced in July for the arts, the director of the advisory public body Theatres Trust, warned that the majority of theatres will not be able to open with social distancing measures in place because it is not ''financially viable.''
A recent demonstration about saving the arts and music industry included a Pantomime protest in London. Performers and members of the creative industry joined the walk to Parliament Square on Wednesday to highlight the issues caused by closing the theatres, dressed as dames. The Bectu and Equity Unions planned the demonstration, along with Excluded UK. It has been announced that four of the biggest pantomimes in London will not go ahead this year because of the uncertainty over whether indoor performances can resume without social distancing. Additionally, many venues are still not opening due to social distancing measures meaning it would not be economically viable. Andrew Lloyd Webber himself claimed that it would be economically ''impossible'' to run theatres with social distancing. The majority of regional theatres make most of their income from pantomimes, especially during the Christmas period, so not only is it a great source of income but it also helps them keep afloat for the rest of the year. Many within the industry feel more support is needed, considering theatre alone deposits £15bn a year to the exchequer without calculating taxation from the millions of professionals employed by the industry.
Another peaceful protest that took place last week was one in Liverpool, again to raise awareness of the impact that lockdown has had on the arts industry in the city as well as across the region. On Saturday 3rd October, people who work in and support the arts industry came together, socially distanced, to raise awareness of the industry which currently lays in ruins. The march began at the steps of the Metropolitan Cathedral and moved through the city to a rally of speakers at St George’s Hall Plateau, with speakers representing a diverse section of the industry, such as the artistic director of the Everyman Playhouse, Gemma Bodinetz. Although the support package is welcomed, it simply isn’t enough. With furlough and SEISS coming to an end, many venues remain closed as chancellor Rishi Sunak has described the industry as ''unviable.'' The support package has not yet reached theatres, however even when it does it will be about maintaining the buildings, which presents a concern for many of the people who work in the theatres, including freelancers who have been excluded from public support as they have fallen through the gaps.
It is undeniable that the arts industry has been hit hardest as well as being neglected by the government, which has been represented by the protests. Perhaps the industry’s importance has been overlooked.
The arts industry is important in so many ways which have perhaps been dismissed. It is important for people’s mental health who are involved in the industry. An industry professional from Wales claimed, ''it destroys your soul not being able to perform, it chips away at it.'' The various forms of arts often foster the need for self-expression and fulfilment; thus, the lack of performance may be emotionally hard for some. Moreover, live performances are often uplifting and educating for the performers as well as the audience, so the absence of these performances is likely to have an emotional toll on those with interest in the sector. Their talent is currently unable to be used.
The arts industry must be protected. It isn’t just about singing and dancing (which is good for mental health and wellbeing), but it is also about politics, history, and different cultures. The arts can give a voice to the disenfranchised. It allows different cultures to come together by being able to communicate with each other via images, sounds, and stories. It is a platform for people to learn; art preserves what fact-based historical records can’t. Different forms of the arts have such an important impact on society which is often unacknowledged.
Without government support, the arts industry is doomed. If more support isn’t provided during these unprecedented times, perhaps the arts could be at a point of ''no return.''Especially now Rishi Sunak has recently described the industry as unviable, meaning many organisations will remain closed. The arts industry needs financial support that reflects their economic value outside of the pandemic. If people are allowed to eat out, drink out, play in sports groups at both professional level and amateur, then why is it the arts industry that is unable to reopen? Especially as it is one of the key industries that generates income for our economy.
The #WeMakeEvents campaign highlights the importance of the arts/events sector. It is an ''international movement to highlight that the live events sector urgently needs support from the local governments to survive the Covid-19 crisis''. As part of this, the campaign raises money to give immediate support for the individuals, families and, industry charities. For more information on how you can support the industry, you can visit their website here.
By Lois Dean
Image courtesy of Donald Trong via www.pexels.com
Excellent and informative piece of journalism.