09/07/2020
Enjoy the Labor Day holiday today, but please please also remember all the creative people across the country who continue to bring you much reprieve, comfort, inspiration and enjoyment, often for free.
63% of them are now fully unemployed.
$56 billion in lost creative based wages in 2020.
The arts and culture sector is second only to the service industry facing devastation by the pandemic.
In the worst kind of irony many creative workers have often also worked in and driven business to the service industry.
Please think of these workers and what they bring to your life every day.
Sobering stats below.
Support an organization or creative if you can.........................
IMPACT ON NONPROFIT ARTS + CULTURE SECTOR
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Nationally, financial losses to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations are an estimated $12.5 billion as of August 24, 2020.
96% of organizations have cancelled events since the onset of the pandemic—some as far out as summer 2021—resulting in a loss of 354 million admissions and $11.2 billion in audience spending at local businesses (restaurants, lodging, retail, parking).
The total economic impact of organizational and audience-spending losses is $4.0 billion in lost government revenue and 701,000 jobs no longer being supported.
Findings are based on 17,900 survey responses.
10% are “not confident” that they will survive the pandemic (a potential loss of 12,000 organizations).
29% laid off or furloughed staff (38% expect to make permanent staff reductions).
10% of organizations never closed.
14% have already re-opened.
22% plan to open in 2020.
6% plan to open in 2021.
48% have no target date for re-opening.
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IMPACT ON ARTIST/CREATIVE WORKERS
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Artists/creatives are among the most severely affected workers by the pandemic.
63% have become fully unemployed.
They expect to lose an average of $22,200 each in creativity-based income in 2020 ($50.6 billion, nationally).
Findings are based on 24,200 survey responses.
94% report loss of income.
79% experienced a decrease in creative work that generated income (62% “drastic decrease”).
66% are unable to access the supplies, resources, spaces, or people necessary for their work.
78% have no post-pandemic financial recovery plan.
Black, Indigenous, and artists of color have higher rates of unemployment than white artists due to the pandemic (69% vs. 60%).
They also expect to lose a larger percentage of their income (61% vs. 56%).
Top Needs for Artists: unemployment insurance, food/housing assistance, forgivable business loans.
