The arts, music and entertainment sectors were among the first sectors to be hit by the crisis and will take longer to recover than most. I understand the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on all areas of the arts and I have endeavoured to make sure that the voices of those in this sector have been heard and that concrete measures are in place to support the sector. I have personally met with, and continue to meet with, a wide range of organisations and businesses. Officials in my Department are involved in ongoing and meaningful engagement with the numerous organisations and lobby groups in the sector. This ensures that I have the most up-to-date information to ensure appropriate supports were delivered for the sector.
In 2021, public investment in the arts through the Arts Council has reached a historically high level of €130 million. Throughout the crisis, the Arts Council has been focused on protecting jobs and livelihoods of artists and arts workers, assisting arts organisations experiencing financial difficulties, working to encourage audiences to re-engage with in-person events in a safe environment, and supporting and developing the sector more broadly. New foundations for sustainability were also laid in 2020/2021 through the operation of the Arts Council's Sustainability Fund.
A detailed report and analysis of the Arts Council’s response to the Covid-19 crisis for the arts in 2020/2021 has been published by the Council and can be accessed at this link: www.artscouncil.ie/uploadedFiles/wwwartscouncilie/Content/Publications/Research_reports/Our%20Covid%20Response%20(July%202021).pdf. It also contains research on the pandemic’s impacts on cultural organisations, artists and audiences.
In addition, my Department and the Arts Council have introduced a range of measures in response to the recommendations set out in Life Worth Living, the report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce.
In the area of live performance, a combination of horizontal state supports in the form of the PUP and EWSS and sector specific supports offered by my Department provided enhanced stability for the sector. My Department's supports included the MEBAS scheme, the Events Sector COVID Support Scheme and the Live Performance Support Scheme as well as supports local authority live events programming.
