Keeping arts alive

THE fall-out from the coronavirus pandemic will be felt for many years to come and few will escape the impact of lockdown measures which have affected every aspect of our lives.

Health authorities are braced to tackle a huge backlog of non-Covid cases, and as jobs have been lost and businesses have suffered, economic growth has taken a massive hit.

For a few months now, arts organisations have raised concerns about the impact that closure of venues has had on the sector, so the UK government’s announcement this week of a mix of grants and loans worth £1.57 billion is welcome news. More than 700,000 people are employed in the industry and it is a huge draw for domestic and foreign tourists.

Theatre legend Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber was speaking for many when he said it was “absolutely critical that Britain’s cultural sector is restored to health as soon as possible”.

There is no word yet on when theatres can resume shows, while some film productions have begun shooting while maintaining social distancing.

It would be frivolous to dismiss the importance of arts and culture to our lives. They are as essential for our wellbeing as holding down jobs or staying active, and the industry generates billions in revenue for the UK. As we emerge from lockdown, it will be vital to preserve as many jobs as possible, or the damage will be difficult to undo.