Creative Concord

The Live Events Industry is on Red Alert for its very survival, and create congressional pressure to act now.

, a grassroots coalition of arts and cultural workers, reports:

“The Arts & Culture sector employs 5.1 million people and provides $877 billion value added to the U.S. economy. It adds more value to the economy than transportation, agriculture, or tourism. The Arts & Culture sector is a cornerstone of the larger U.S. economy, making up 4.5% of GDP. Despite their out-sized cultural and economic contribution, the Arts & Culture sector of the U.S. economy is in grave danger.

Due to Covid-19, 62% of Arts Workers report that they are fully unemployed. 94% of Arts workers report income loss; to date, the average Arts worker reports $23,500 in lost revenue this year. Due to Covid, 66% of Arts workers report they are unable to access the spaces, staff, resources, or supplies needed to perform their work.

According to the Brookings Institute economic report Lost Art: Measuring COVID-19’s Devastating Impact on America’s Creative Economy, they estimate a loss of “ 2.7 million jobs and more than $150 billion in sales of goods and services for creative industries nationwide, representing nearly a third of all jobs in those industries and 9% of annual sales. The fine and performing arts industries will be hit hardest, suffering estimated losses of almost 1.4 million jobs and $42.5 billion in sales. These estimated losses represent 50% of all jobs in those industries and more than a quarter of all lost sales nationwide.”

As theatres, concert tours, festivals, opera houses, trade shows, and other live events as well as film and television production remain closed, or open on a very limited basis, the entire industry is impacted, from designers, technicians, programmers, and stagehands to rental shops, manufacturers, and distributors of entertainment technology. The first industry to close last March, Live Events could be the last sector to re-open due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Live Events Industry is on Red Alert for its very survival, and create congressional pressure to act now.

, a grassroots coalition of arts and cultural workers, reports:

“The Arts & Culture sector employs 5.1 million people and provides $877 billion value added to the U.S. economy. It adds more value to the economy than transportation, agriculture, or tourism. The Arts & Culture sector is a cornerstone of the larger U.S. economy, making up 4.5% of GDP. Despite their out-sized cultural and economic contribution, the Arts & Culture sector of the U.S. economy is in grave danger.

Due to Covid-19, 62% of Arts Workers report that they are fully unemployed. 94% of Arts workers report income loss; to date, the average Arts worker reports $23,500 in lost revenue this year. Due to Covid, 66% of Arts workers report they are unable to access the spaces, staff, resources, or supplies needed to perform their work.

According to the Brookings Institute economic report Lost Art: Measuring COVID-19’s Devastating Impact on America’s Creative Economy, they estimate a loss of “ 2.7 million jobs and more than $150 billion in sales of goods and services for creative industries nationwide, representing nearly a third of all jobs in those industries and 9% of annual sales. The fine and performing arts industries will be hit hardest, suffering estimated losses of almost 1.4 million jobs and $42.5 billion in sales. These estimated losses represent 50% of all jobs in those industries and more than a quarter of all lost sales nationwide.”

As theatres, concert tours, festivals, opera houses, trade shows, and other live events as well as film and television production remain closed, or open on a very limited basis, the entire industry is impacted, from designers, technicians, programmers, and stagehands to rental shops, manufacturers, and distributors of entertainment technology. The first industry to close last March, Live Events could be the last sector to re-open due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce's June newsletter highlighted some positive steps forward for area businesses and organizations impacted by COVID-19. But one area of real concern has to do with the reopening of live performance venues. Cultural assets such as Capitol Center for the Arts, Bank of NH Stage, Concord City Auditorium, Hatbox Theatre, Red River Theatres and Concord Community Music School are under great financial stress due to the nature of their businesses and social distancing protocols. Other nonprofit cultural organizations are also being impacted on a great scale. League of NH Craftsmen announced in May that it is hosting its 87th Annual Craftsmen's Fair online. Concord's brand new maker space Making Matters NH offers hands on opportunities for entrepreneurs and creatives who want to make their ideas come to life. Kimball Jenkins shifted instruction to online art camp. And McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is actively sharing the culture of discovery through social media. Additional members in the performing arts space include The Palace Theatre in Manchester, Symphony NH in Nashua, and both the New Hampshire Master Chorale and the New Hampshire Music Festival in Plymouth. All of the above nonprofits pump millions into our economy and many have played a key role in the revitalization of Concord’s expanding nightlife scene, as well as the expansion of Main Street. They need our support now more than ever. Many are participating in today. Please consider making a donation and showing your support for them on social media. And reach out to other nonprofit arts organizations who are not participating to inquire about donations or other ways you can help support them during these challenging times. Thank you! ~ Creative Concord, a standing volunteer committee of the Greater Concord Chamber dedicated to NH's creative sector.

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Has anyone participated in Urban Sketchers events? Very cool program for visual artists... Thank you to Bobbie H. for sending this info! http://www.urbansketchers.org/

Urban Sketchers