Research conducted by the University of Newcastle is highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on arts and culture in the Hunter region. The report explores the effect that COVID-19 has had on employment, income, social cohesion, audience reach and creative expression. Amongst the findings, the report reveals that:
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60% of survey respondents reported a loss of income from their artistic/creative work but 63% of these indicated that they felt they would be able to cope financially
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Those most affected by job losses were aged 18-34 years
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More than 40% linked their lack of creative productivity to the inability to access the supplies, resources, spaces and/or people necessary for their artistic/creative practice.
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Many found a renewed sense of the importance of ‘my art/my practice’.
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Almost half identified the need for more collaborative spaces, followed by performance, exhibition and rehearsal space.
The recommendations included one directed squarely at the academic community: to ‘develop capacity building programs for artists in collaboration with the IT team at the University of Newcastle, for example, or through other online universities local businesses on digital and financial literacy.’
The report is available at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60865a29edd6853ecd8f8135/t/60e7b97bb977dd1475c86cf6/1625799064518/UoN_The+impact+of+COVID-19+on+the+Hunter+region%E2%80%99s+arts+and+culture+sector_Final+report+8+June+2021.pdf