The COVID-19 pandemic has played havoc on the performing arts and entertainment industries. No premieres, concerts, tours, festivals or exhibitions. Most of us have experienced isolation and many people remain there.
It’s been a difficult time and a lot of people have turned to the arts as a coping mechanism. Creatives have turned to online technology to share their work.
Utilising online technologies for the arts has been a learning curve. But it has its benefits – especially for allowing inclusion of minority groups. This has been great for diversity.
Here are some of the benefits we’ve experienced:
Accessibility
Quite often, those who are ill or living with a disability miss out on the opportunity to be a part of a live audience. They can now access the performing arts online, increasing our potential audience.
Flexibility
Many talks, workshops and masterclasses are being delivered online. Orchestras, bands and other performing art groups are performing online. This can be done through a variety of means such as live streaming through Facebook , and YouTube or even Zoom. And bands are making better use of community digital radio stations.
This allows a greater audience who can listen and view performing arts from the comfort of their own home … in their pyjamas, if they wish!
Innovation
Implementing new and inventive ways of online delivery in a relevant and fresh manner is now a must. It’s not only important to get your work noticed. Catering for people living with different disabilities is also very important. Changing to online delivery has made many creatives think about how to cater for these audiences. And this has led to innovation.
This is where organisations, such as Accessible Arts are beneficial to performing artists. They advocate for people living with disabilities to have equal opportunities in the arts. They also advocate for those living with disability to develop and sustain professional careers in the arts.
Collaboration
Physical restrictions put in place due to COVID has encouraged creatives to collaborate. They haven’t let physical restrictions stop them from collaborating online. This means that creatives living with disabilities can leverage on that and become more involved.
COVID-19 has been difficult for many of us. But it’s provided some great opportunities for minorities. This allows more minorities to become involved within the arts and entertainment industry. And that involvement has more options – whether that be as an audience member or an opportunity to showcase their work!
“We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing and inclusion”. ~ Max de Pree