Even though the COVID-19 pandemic’s lockdowns, postponements, and cancellations seem to be mostly in the past, the socio-economic turmoil is still being felt, and the international arts and culture scene is only one of many industries that have been devastated.
In a new report titled “Culture in Times of COVID-19 Resilience, Recovery and Revival,” published by UNESCO in collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DTC), the organization examines the major global trends that have reshaped the cultural sector as a result of COVID-19 and offers solutions for its revival.
The DCT and UNESCO teamed together to produce the first global evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 across all cultural domains since the start of the pandemic in September 2021, research for the study got under way.
The findings were presented at a gathering late last week in Abu Dhabi that included Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, the assistant director general of UNESCO, as well as DCT Chairman Mohamed Al-Mubarak.
Theaters and museums, as well as World Heritage sites, were particularly heavily impacted. According to UNESCO, 90% of museums and cultural institutions closed globally in 2020, and 90% of the nations’ World Heritage sites were shuttered entirely or in part, he continued.
“Many artists and cultural workers have lost their jobs, and pre-existing injustices — notably those affecting women and girls — have grown worse, exacerbating social and economic insecurity. Leading decision-makers and cultural experts now more heavily rely on the social and economic function of culture as a result of these effects.
Ramirez and the study underscored how much artists and the cultural and creative sectors also suffered. According to the forecast, the Gross Value Added produced by the worldwide cultural and creative industries decreased by $750 billion in 2020 compared to 2019. “These sectors and the artists need robust policies, which are what we need. In addition to being properly acknowledged going forward, artists and cultural workers should also receive proper recognition for their contributions.
It is also crucial to acknowledge the significance of museums, cultural institutions, and heritage places. Ramirez stated that they “not only protect legacy but also provide equal access to culture, essential education, social inclusion, cultural variety, and well-being.”