Unesco, NACZ map artistes’ survival plan
… as COVID-19 lockdown chokes earnings
UNITED Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) regional office for Southern Africa director Hubert Gijzen yesterday said it was important for the government to support cultural and creative industries during the current COVID-19 lockdown as their streams of income have been interrupted by the pandemic. Speaking during a Zoom meeting which was also attended by National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) director Nicholas Moyo, researcher Florence Majachani and Culture Fund director Farai Mupfunya, Gijzen said artists were often taken for granted in times of crisis.
“These sectors tend to be seen as less important and not a priority. This is a big mistake and I appeal to the government to take the sector into account,” he said.
“These sectors represent a substantial portion of the global economy. Billions of people across the world have turned to the arts and culture for comfort and to overcome the loneliness brought by social isolation.”
The discussion was held under the theme Examining Government Interventions in the Arts Sector and their Ability to Build Resilience in the Cultural and Creative Industries in Zimbabwe.
Gijzen said it was important to realise that artists were “strong voices” that have been used to create awareness and contribute to the fight against COVID-19.
He cited Lady Gaga’s Together at Home concert that raised nearly $130 million for COVID-19 relief and Madonna’s US$1 million donation to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s efforts to fund a vaccine for COVID-19.
“This is the industry that has been extremely hard hit by the COVID-19 crisis, especially the lockdowns. If people can’t come together, these (artists) are the hardest hit. My appeal to governments is to look into these sectors,” he said.
NACZ’s Moyo hailed Unesco for kick-starting the conversation around the survival of artists in member countries during lockdowns.
He said the abrupt suspension of livelihoods brought about by COVID-19 has hit the global cultural and creative industries in “a significant and profound” manner as evidenced by cancellations or suspensions of productions, bookings and closure of art spaces which have left the sector significantly handicapped.
Moyo suggested several measures to assist artists during the lockdown including availing welfare grants to mitigate revenue loss, support for art and culture hubs and rental and utility subsidies.
“Relief funds for the sector are necessary. As we have seen with many nations, it is the right thing to do. Government should not think twice. The creative sector is a key player in the economy, contributing 6,9% to the GDP [gross domestic product]. In Zimbabwe, that is not a small figure,” he said.
Government recently indicated it would release a $20 million grant for the arts sector.
Majachani, a researcher in cultural governance and cultural rights, said artists were faced with major challenges including astronomical data charges that would make it difficult for them to effectively utilise online platforms for the marketing and selling of their products and services.
“How many are skilled enough to make effective use of digital platforms?” she queried.
“The government also needs to commission artists and amplify their role, not only in the fight against COVID-19 but in their daily lives. It is also about the commercial side, creating online platforms for them to also be able to sell their work and events. In the absence of such platforms, it is difficult to sell their works.”
Majachani said if the lockdown was to be extended for six months, artists should be empowered to sell their products using online platforms provided by government.
“Government needs to come up with ways of assisting the artists financially so that the artistry doesn’t die and the artists keeps inspired to continue producing beyond the COVID-19.
“It is critical to invest in marketing platforms, both conventional and digital and building capacity of our creative sector to ensure work being produced is up to standard and can compete regionally and internationally, to assist in artists’ mobility so they can move to showcase their work,” she said.