As the industry appears to be hanging by a thread, what does its future look like? What can be done to support all those who contribute to this economy? Government intervention is required. Schemes to support workers in creative industries are rare but as Mr Toussiant Tiendrebeogo, Chief of Diversity of Cultural Expressions Entity, UNESCO said, “At a time when all countries are working tirelessly in response to this unprecedented crisis, UNESCO firmly advocates for the cultural and creative industries not to be left behind.” United Nations General Assembly has also proclaimed 2021 as the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development.
The private sector has played a major role in supporting the members of the creative industry. Sony, Universal and Warner have contributed to the relief efforts by combining charitable donations, royalty advances, and fee waivers. Similarly, some of the major streaming services including Netflix, NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS, and others have donated with millions of dollars as funds, PPE kits, and awareness campaigns. Several countries have grants to provide financial support to organisations that sponsor artists but individuals and technical support staff are often lost in the cracks.
The bottom line is that the industry is struggling and needs support. It begins with a conversation that reaffirms the importance of the creative economy to the market and our lives. We also need to bridge the digital skills gap that exists in the industry so that editors, technicians, the invisible, yet the very real backstage, can adapt themselves to the future trends of the economy.
Art does play a major role in building more inclusive and tolerant societies. It is an expression of our most vulnerable and volatile thoughts, our passions. It is far removed from the sense of necessity, obligation, or sustenance. As John Keating says in Dead Poets Society, “Poetry (all art, in general), beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” As enriching as it is for those who experience it, for those involved in its production, it is a story worth fighting for.