Tackling the impact of the pandemic
A Culture, Health & Wellbeing Alliance report shows how creativity and culture have supported people in hospitals, care homes, hospices, prisons and other institutions through the pandemic. Recommendations include the need to support creative freelancers through the pandemic and its aftermath.
Unesco research shows that museums lost between 40% and 60% of their budgets in 2020 compared to 2019. "In regions where museums are largely funded by the market and philanthropy, such as the United States or United Kingdom, job losses have been rapid and particularly significant." Recommendations stress that public authorities must act to support museums financially and prepare for the future.
The Durham Commission on Creativity and Education has refocused its recommendations in the light of the pandemic and created platforms and opportunities for both schools and students to re-think teaching and learning. Findings in its second report show that creativity and cultural experiences should be an essential part of the return to in-school education. Shifts to remote working and digital tools mean digital skills and access to quality digital devices are now essential for young people.
The Situation of Artists and Cultural Workers and the post-COVID-19 Cultural Recovery in the European Union, a report for the European Parliament by Dr Mafalda Dâmaso of King’s College, London, gives an overview of the working conditions of artists and cultural workers across Europe. It highlights the precarity of artists and the lack of unified policy support for their status.
Arts Council England has published the themes and context for its Let’s Create Delivery Plan. These are intended to focus on areas in most pressing need of attention and investment following the pandemic. Given the damage to the livelihoods of creative practitioners and other freelancers in the cultural sector, ACE will pay particular attention over the next three years to supporting those seeking to start a career in the arts.
A report from Enders Analysis shows that the UK's creative industries engage more enterprises and employees than any part of the UK economy, except financial services. But it argues that job losses risk becoming permanent.
Two-thirds of online audiences were new to viewing art forms digitally during COVID, according to research by Marquee TV and Indigo.