Quo vadis ars?
The situation in the cultural sector has been
described and discussed in numerous interviews, corona diaries,
comments and reports in the past few weeks. Our annotated
collection
of currently 193 sources
gathers voices from different sectors and media.
This creates a picture of the cultural landscape in crisis,
whose temporal transformation can be explored interactively
via a dedicated
tag cloud.
New York’s Arts Shutdown . The Economic Crisis in One Lost Weekend
by Michael Paulson, Elizabeth A. Harris, Graham Bowley (23 Sep 2020)
Original source: New York Times
This feature gives a feeling of the evaporation of the art industry in New York City illustrating the loss with abstracts of 22 (former) art workers and depressing photographs. The shutdown has touched New York in its heart: Before the pandemic, New York state’s arts and cultural sector contributed $120 billion to New York’s economy, or 7.5 percent of the state’s economic output, and employed nearly half a million people. Taxable revenue from performing arts companies fell 85 percent this spring compared to 2019. The perspectives are still dark: T he Broadway theatres remain closed at least until next spring. The Metropolitan Opera has scheduled its reopening for Fall 2021.
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tag New York Theater Tanz USA Schließungen Konzerthäuser Arbeitsplatzverlust Umsatzeinbruch Bankrott All sections Bericht
Culture shock: COVID-19 and the cultural and creative sectors . OECD Policy Responses to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
by Ekaterina Travkina, Pier Luigi Sacco, Benedetta Morari (07 Sep 2020)
Original source: OECD
The 50-pages long report of the OECD analyzes the serious socio-economic consequences for the cultural and creative industries, which are the most affected by the crisis besides tourism, using extensive sources and figures. The effects vary regionally and according to sub-sectors. Whereas many performing artists are currently without employment, the game industry is booming. Aglomerations in particular are affected, and with them the ecosystem of countless freelancers and suppliers, which is particularly threatened - implying long-term consequences.
In addition to this detailed analysis, the authors also provide examples of various public and private measures to support the sectors. The authors emphasize that public measures are often inappropriate because the creative workers do not fit into classical support frameworks. In the appendix, the measures are compared in tabular form, sorted by country.
The authors not only point out the economic importance of the cultural and creative industries, but also, especially in view of a Postcovid19 era, the immaterial importance as a driver of innovation in the economy and society as a whole, with synergies especially for education and health. Read More Read Less
In addition to this detailed analysis, the authors also provide examples of various public and private measures to support the sectors. The authors emphasize that public measures are often inappropriate because the creative workers do not fit into classical support frameworks. In the appendix, the measures are compared in tabular form, sorted by country.
The authors not only point out the economic importance of the cultural and creative industries, but also, especially in view of a Postcovid19 era, the immaterial importance as a driver of innovation in the economy and society as a whole, with synergies especially for education and health. Read More Read Less
tag OECD Wirtschaftsfaktor postcovid19 Bildung Ballungszentren All sections Wissenschaftliches Paper
»Das ist kein Neustart, das ist der Tod auf Raten« . Konzertveranstalter und Corona
»This is not a fresh start, this is living on borrowed time« . concert organizers and Corona
by Benjamin Fischer (17 Aug 2020)
Original source: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Stephan Thanscheidt is co-head of FKP Scorpio. The company, with around 350 employees in 11 countries, is not only one of the largest festival organizers in Europe, but last year the company hosted around 3000 concerts by more or less well-known musicians - including superstars such as Ed Sheeran and David Guetta. Thanscheidt is primarily responsible for the organization of the festivals. In the summer, he usually spends more time at festivals than at his desk. This is important in order to keep a feel for the wishes and expectations of the visitors.
In March and April, FKP Scorpio continued to plan the summer events. Although there was already a bad feeling during the lockdown, but without a long-term cancellation by the authorities, the company had no choice but to postpone the festivals for the time being in order not to lose insurance coverage. This was an enormous effort, as events and the corresponding tickets had to be rebooked time and again. The advertising was reissued, only to announce the next postponement.
The industry, which even during the economic crisis of 2009 had hardly any loss of revenue, now faces completely new challenges. Short-time work and home offices have been completely unknown until now. Although there are regular digital meetings, it is difficult to realize joint creative work. Especially for the ten trainees, the situation is more than unsatisfactory, as they are currently only getting to know parts of the planned areas of responsibility.
In the summer, the industry has prepared itself for a standstill until Christmas. If no events are possible next year either, many companies are on the verge of closure. Although the public and politicians have the impression at the moment that the drive-in cinema concerts or other events will bring money back into the coffers, according to Thanscheidt, this is not a matter of income to be taken seriously, but rather of "living on borrowed time". FKP Scorpio has been running a solid business in recent years and can still fall back on reserves. If, however, no festivals with normal capacity can be held next year, FKP Scorpio will also be in trouble. Read More Read Less
In March and April, FKP Scorpio continued to plan the summer events. Although there was already a bad feeling during the lockdown, but without a long-term cancellation by the authorities, the company had no choice but to postpone the festivals for the time being in order not to lose insurance coverage. This was an enormous effort, as events and the corresponding tickets had to be rebooked time and again. The advertising was reissued, only to announce the next postponement.
The industry, which even during the economic crisis of 2009 had hardly any loss of revenue, now faces completely new challenges. Short-time work and home offices have been completely unknown until now. Although there are regular digital meetings, it is difficult to realize joint creative work. Especially for the ten trainees, the situation is more than unsatisfactory, as they are currently only getting to know parts of the planned areas of responsibility.
In the summer, the industry has prepared itself for a standstill until Christmas. If no events are possible next year either, many companies are on the verge of closure. Although the public and politicians have the impression at the moment that the drive-in cinema concerts or other events will bring money back into the coffers, according to Thanscheidt, this is not a matter of income to be taken seriously, but rather of "living on borrowed time". FKP Scorpio has been running a solid business in recent years and can still fall back on reserves. If, however, no festivals with normal capacity can be held next year, FKP Scorpio will also be in trouble. Read More Read Less
tag Konzertveranstalter Festivals Versicherung Planungssicherheit Exit-Strategie Auszubildende Music Beitrag
Lost Art . Measuring COVID-19’s devastating impact on America’s creative economy
by Richard Florida, Michael Seman (11 Aug 2020)
Original source: Brookings Report
This Brookings Institution report, written by the economists Seman and Richard Florida, analyses the economic situation in the cultural industry of the USA in the period of April 1 to July 31, 2020. It estimates nationwide losses for the creative industries to be $150 billion, on everything from tickets and concert merchandise to paintings and music lessons. Of the 50 states, California will be hit hardest in terms of absolute losses for creative industries and occupations, New York City will be the hardest-hit metropolitan area. The fine and performing arts industries w ill be hit hardest loosing 50% of all jobs and more than a quarter of all lost sales nationwide. Nevertheless the authors of the detailed 30 pages report see an opportunity for communities to shift to locally sourced culture.
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tag USA New York Kalifornien Schließungen Arbeitsplatzverlust Federal Art Project lokales Publikum Umsatzeinbruch All sections Studie
»Was in Berlin passiert, ist ziemlich einmalig« . Corona-Hilfe für Klubkultur
»What's happening in Berlin is quite unique« . Corona aid for club culture
by Laura Aha (20 Jul 2020)
Original source: Spiegel
Clubs were the first cultural institutions to close, and they will most likely be the last to be allowed to reopen. In Berlin alone, 140 clubs and as many club event agencies employ around 9000 people. In Berlin, Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer has launched a 30 million euro aid package for clubs. Cologne and Hamburg have also granted support to the scene at a very early stage. The situation is different in cities that have not yet promoted pop culture. Here, clubs are falling through the ranks of the various support models and are fighting for recognition as cultural institutions. Currently, the open-air season is making it possible to compensate somewhat for the slump in sales. But the scene needs a long-term strategy to avoid falling victim to the crisis.
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tag Clubszene Berlin Soforthilfe Konjunkturpaket Klaus Lederer Music Bericht
Eight ways museums could make most of the coronavirus crisis . Failure to seize this opportunity to make changes would be a graver error than any breach of etiquette
by Adrian Ellis (11 Jun 2020)
Original source: The Art Newspaper
This article by Adrian Ellis draws from conversations in early May 2020 with museum directors in New York, Salem, Buffalo and Kansas City. They all agree to use the crisis to redefine the tasks of a museum by the following opportunities:
- Revaluating a new metrics of success
- Reviewing the strategies for exhibitions and education programmes
- Local social binding as «community anchors» by engaging the neighbourhood and deepening local partnerships
- Nurturing the virtual community
- Recalibrating the (conservative) organisati onal culture establishing mission and values
- Harnessing art to reimagine society Read More Read Less
- Revaluating a new metrics of success
- Reviewing the strategies for exhibitions and education programmes
- Local social binding as «community anchors» by engaging the neighbourhood and deepening local partnerships
- Nurturing the virtual community
- Recalibrating the (conservative) organisati onal culture establishing mission and values
- Harnessing art to reimagine society Read More Read Less
tag Museum Neuausrichtung Museumspädagogik Strategie Digitalisierung Visual Arts/Design Bericht
Hygieneregeln . Dem Publikum stehen keine leichten Zeiten bevor
Hygiene Guidelines . The audience is not facing easy times.
by Jörg Häntzschel (19 May 2020)
Original source: Süddeutsche Zeitung
In the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Jörg Häntzschel takes a critical look at the hygiene rules that the Ministers of Culture of the federal states have drawn up together with Monika Grütters, federal Minister of State for Culture, for theaters, opera houses and concert halls. The many interventions and specifications for the operation of the theaters make it clear that even the reopening will be associated with heavy financial losses if the distance rule of 1.50 meters distance has to be implemented. In addition, not only the air conditioning technology must be adapted, but also the health of the visitors and the distance of the employees - i.e. the artistic actors on stage and during rehearsals - must be kept in mind. Only a small ray of hope remains here that the regulations are to apply to the whole of Germany and that not every federal state will introduce its own rules. But what concerns Häntzschel more than the concrete hygiene rules is the way in which artists are currently treated in political discourse. On the one hand, art is transfigured to a kind of »secular universal religion«, which is supposed to be a »therapy against loneliness, a weapon against populism and the humus of democracy«. The author sees a form of »cultural war economy« in the very detailed recommendations as to how the houses should fill the time until the resumption of play. After all, the paper shows little confidence in the creativity of the industry, which is not only given the marching orders by the ministers, but also the way to go.
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tag Theater Kino Oper Hygieneregeln Universalreligion Monika Grütters kulturelle Kriegswirtschaft Performing Arts/ Cinema Bericht
Aus der Zauber . Arbeiten in Corona-Zeiten
When Magic runs out of gas . Working in Corona Times
by Sarah Schaschek (15 May 2020)
Original source: Zeit
tag Zauber Event-Branche Großveranstaltungen Berufsverbot Performing Arts/ Cinema Bericht
Schwer zu lesen . Keine Messe, kein Amazon, keine Aufmerksamkeit: Corona hat den Buchmarkt hart getroffen.
Difficult to read . No trade fair, no Amazon, no attention: Corona hit the book market severely
by Christoph Schröder (12 May 2020)
Original source: Die Zeit
tag Buchbranche Verlage Buchmesse Herbstprogramm Umsatzeinbruch Jo Lendle Grusche Juncker Andreas Rötzer Literature/ Text Bericht
»Es gibt in Zeiten der Angst eine große Bereitschaft zum Gehorsam« . Daniel Kehlmann über die Corona-Krise
There is a great willingness to obedience in times of anxiety . Daniel Kehlmann on the Corona crisis
by Daniel Kehlmann, Patrick Bauer (06 May 2020)
Original source: Süddeutsche Zeitung
The German author Daniel Kehlmann experienced the outbreak of the Corona crisis in New York City and then retired to Montauk with his family. In an interview, he talks about his impressions of the crisis, the special politics of images and the consequences of the restrictions on freedom.
