Rethinking how we support the arts in our new normal
In the first quarter of 2020, Netflix saw its biggest subscription gain in its 13year history. And according to a recent report from Billboard and Nielsen Music, since March, we are spending 60 per cent more time with music and other forms of digital entertainment.
Between our work-from-home commitments, workout playlists and Netflix marathons, we should take a moment to pay attention to a group that may need recognition and support. Our artists.
Artists continue to give us more entertainment than we’ll ever consume, and throughout time, they’ve shown up to entertain, comfort, distract and to bring people together.
With the closure of venues and cancellation of major festivals, a large number of artists have turned to social media to put on live performances — anything from DJ sets, comedy skits, tattooing demonstrations, to drag shows.
Last month Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $500 million in relief to the arts, culture and sports sectors. Increased government support and recognition of complex employment models is a great thing. But what more can be done to support our local artists?
“Is it time that we consider creating a universal basic income?” asks Ashok Mathur, dean of graduate studies at OCAD University in Toronto, the largest and most comprehensive art, design and media university in Canada.
“In places like Ireland, where there is a deep support network, artists and designers are paid to be artists. If you are a trained artist, instead of looking for grants or a ‘day job,’ you get a basic income. It isn’t huge, but then you don’t have to do secondary jobs that take people away from their art,” he added. How can everyday Canadians help? “It’s an interesting question. Some workers in the middle class — working from home at 100 per cent salary — are actually saving money. They’re not going on vacation and they are not eating out or spending money on outside entertainment. I recently got a ticket refund for a cancelled play. I’m looking to see how I can use that extra money to support artists. What we all can try to do is to continue to support artists as we normally would,” said Mathur.
We should become familiar with what our local theatres and artists are working on virtually.
“For those with disposable income there are several theatre companies that have adapted and are creating and performing plays through other mediums. They can donate to artists and art spaces to support them and their work so they can continue to create content in the future” says Hartley Jafine, who uses theatre to teach communication skills to health sciences students and health care trainees at McMaster and the University of Toronto.
As we transition to a “new normal,” it may be worthwhile to reconsider how to better integrate our artists into society. Artists bring a whole new perspective to seemingly unrelated sectors.
“Theatre skills are life skills” says Hartley Jafine. In a course I took with Harltey as a BHSc student in 2012 I learned that the arts provide more than just entertainment.
“The aim of my work is to enhance clinical competencies including communication, collaboration, empathy, perspective taking and exploring discussions on the topic of power and status” explains Hartley.
Artists continue to entertain, comfort, document history, and teach us through their work. Let’s adapt with them and continue to support their work. And after this is all over, let’s never forget to leave a tip next time we’re out enjoying live music at a local pub.