Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1266179
10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JULY 2020 OPINION Toni Attard The road to recovery for the arts in Malta SINCE the start of the pandemic, Culture Venture has been actively supporting the arts in Malta with research, training and invest- ment. The second survey on the impact of COVID-19 on artists was held three months after the first opt- in online survey was launched in March 2020. The second survey was held between the 15 of June and 21 June 2020. 526 responses were registered for both surveys. The second survey received 180 responses with 51.7% of respond- ents stating that they had also participated in the first survey. The trends emerging from the first survey were also similar to the trends emerging in Menor- ca and Malaysia, using the same methodology and survey provid- ed by Culture Venture. The opt- in research methodology cannot provide precise comparative trends of both groups, however the emerging patterns and ob- servations, especially those reg- istering significant shifts deserve attention. The intention of this survey is to support the sector and all relevant authorities to engage in a collab- orative process that will provide a sustainable recovery plan for the sector. Of the 805 registered full-time under the creative, arts and entertainment activities (Jobs Plus, 2020), 414 are self-em- ployed, 203 are employed in the private sector and 188 in the pub- lic sector. This recovery plan is required to safeguard 77% of all those em- ployed privately or self-employed in the creative, arts and entertain- ment activities. In addition, the 1,205 employees, registered part- time in these sectors cannot be disregarded. This plan must also include clarity on measures for open air and closed arts venues in order to secure the confidence and safety of producers, artists, crew and audiences to re-engage with arts. The arts were the first to shut down and will be the last to recov- er. Time is running out. Main observations In the past three months online activity increased however, 48% of all events remained cancelled and 31% of all events postponed, mostly for public artistic events, such as performances, exhibitions and concerts. Since March 2020, 52% of those claiming to have lost all income registered losses of between €3,000 to €4,000. Artists remained active during this period by developing new skills, presenting artistic work online for free and researching or developing new work. COVID-19 wage supplement was the most beneficial measure. 42% didn't apply for any measure or were ineligible. Solidarity from family and friends and connecting with other artists were the most relevant to support artists during this time. The response of PCOs and cul- tural agencies was the least rele- vant. 86% of respondents agree or strongly agree that specific aid measures are required to support artists in the recovery period. 84% believe that government does not understand the challenges of art- ists. 73% agree or strongly agree that current guidelines are restricting them from earning an income from the arts. 58% of respondents believe that their employment in the arts is at risk. Future work increases as a con- cern for artists and generating income remains a major concern. In this survey, 50.6% of respond- ents claimed to earn an income exclusively for the arts, 27.8% partially earned an income from the arts, 10% are currently un- employed in the arts but in oth- er employment, 6.1% currently unemployed but searching for employment in the arts. 5.6% of respondents stated that they did not earn any income from the arts and these responses were discard- ed for the analysis of the survey. Respondents mainly identified themselves to be mainly em- ployed in theatre, arts education and music. Arts education was added as a new category in this survey. 92.9% of respondents claimed that their work has been neg- atively affected by COVID-19, 4.1% were not impacted and 2.9% expressed a positive impact on their work. The first survey had indicated a negative response of 95.7%. Increased online activity Respondents register 794 differ- ent type of activities across seven different categories that experi- enced changes and 79 events that did not change. Similar to the March 2020 survey, the absolute majority of events were either postponed or cancelled. Online activity registered a 15% share of total activity when compared to 5% in March 2020. Similar to the March 2020 sur- vey, earned income from public artistic events, such as perfor- mances, exhibitions and concerts, was the activity that registered the most responses. As a per- centage of all events which were cancelled, postponed, changed or shifted, it is interesting to note that unlike the March 2020 sur- vey that registered activity for pri- vate events as changed or shifting online, this survey registers no activity for these two. The similar patterns in activity and impact, registered in both surveys indi- cates that the impact on events, other than the shift to online for arts education, conferences and workshops, remained significant- ly the same over the three-month period. It also indicates that the impact of the activity registered in March 2020 remained relative- ly unchanged in June 2020. This suggests that the fate of most ar- tistic activity was already defined during the early days of the pan- demic with limited shifts in activ- ity over the three months period. It also provides further evidence that a strategically-led arts-recov- ery programme is required to al- low the sector to emerge from the current hiatus. Between €3,000 to €4,000 losses Losses for those earning a living