The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the cultural sector hard, ushering in a massive wave of job losses and sharp revenue declines, a new study showed, but it could find respite in promising investment and policy trend.
More than 10 million jobs were lost and up to 40 percent of revenues dropped across the sector globally in 2020, according to the report co-published by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and UNESCO.
But the report also identified major global trends that are reshaping the sector, paving way for its revival and sustainability.
“It is essential to recognise the potential of the culture sector to fuel societal transformation and recovery across all development objectives and support integrated approaches to revive the culture sector,” Ernesto Ottone R., the UN agency’s assistant director-general for culture, said in a release.
“While the report highlights the repercussions of the pandemic on the culture sectors globally, we are optimistic about how we, as an international cultural community, can move forward,” he added.
The new report suggests a “significant opportunity to reposition culture on the public agenda, and enhance its value as a global public good.”
Covid-19 has resulted in improved recognition of the cultural sector’s social value and contribution to collective and individual wellbeing, the report noted, citing G20’s inaugural inclusion of culture in critical policy discussions.
Because of this renewed emphasis on the importance of culture, the sector could be steered “towards more collective approaches to policy and investment, strengthening cooperation with ministries and entities with mandates in areas such as education and health,” the report highlighted.
The report comes as UNESCO and the Abu Dhabi department continues to collaborate to promote culture as a public good, especially after the pandemic’s far-reaching implications on the sector.
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