- Title
- The impact of COVID-19 on the Hunter region’s arts and culture sector
- Creator
- Hunter Research Foundation Centre
- Relation
- https://www.newcastle.edu.au/research/centre/regional-futures
- Publisher
- University of Newcastle
- Resource Type
- report
- Date
- 2021
- Description
- The arts and culture sector is integral to the social, civic and economic well-being and vitality in Australia and has formed important creative hubs in many regional areas such as Newcastle and the wider Hunter Region. Arts participation in childhood and youth is linked to creativity, positive academic and social outcomes which supports the growing body of evidence identifying creative skills as essential to the workforce of the future. Together with tourism and hospitality, the arts and culture sector was amongst those most negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 had an immediate effect on employment and income and, for especially younger people, associated social and psychological impacts of social isolation, challenges reaching audiences and creative expression. Despite this, during COVID-19, the arts and culture sector has been critical to maintain overall community and individual well-being and social cohesion, made possible through innovative online and digital platforms. The arts and culture sector in Australia was already under great strain prior to COVID-19 with ongoing cuts to funding and lack of investment at all levels. COVID-19 especially highlighted pre-existing unsustainable structures in the sector, such as self-employed, part-time workers and freelancers who have less stable earning flows and who often work on a casual basis. These individuals were further marginalised as a result of COVID-19 both economically in terms of accessing grants and subsidies and sometimes socially with a reduction in in-person contact with each other and their audiences. While the crisis was felt throughout the arts and culture sector, the impact was not equal for all activities and workers. Nor was it equal across Australian cities and regions, or across individuals and different arts and culture organisations. Little research has been completed in Australia to date on the local and regional impact of COVID-19 on the arts and culture sector and this research aims to highlight the impact of COVID- 19 in Newcastle and the Hunter Region to inform policy and strategic planning for the city and its arts organisations. This research is part of the Creative Newcastle project funded by the City of Newcastle’s Special Business Rate Program.
- Subject
- COVID-19; art sector; Institute for Regional Futures; culture; Hunter Valley region; City of Newcastle; creative city; project report; SDG 1; SDG 8; Sustainable Development Goals
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1493109
- Identifier
- uon:53483
- Rights
- © The University of Newcastle 2021. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act no part may be reproduced by any process without the permission of the publishers. Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be reliable and accurate. However, no guarantee is given as to its accuracy or reliability, and no responsibility or liability for any information, opinions, or commentary contained herein, or for any consequences of its use, will be accepted by the University, or by any person involved in the preparation of this report.
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 1: No Poverty
Institute for Regional Futures
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