Impact on Nonprofit Art & Culture Sector
Nationally, financial losses to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations are an estimated $12.5 billion as of August 24, 2020.
96% of organizations have cancelled events since the onset of the pandemic—some as far out as summer 2021—resulting in a loss of 354 million admissions and $11.2 billion in audience spending at local businesses (restaurants, lodging, retail, parking).
The total economic impact of organizational and audience-spending losses is $4.0 billion in lost government revenue and 701,000 jobs no longer being supported.
Findings are based on 17,900 survey responses.
- 10% are “not confident” that they will survive the pandemic (a potential loss of 12,000 organizations).
- 29% laid off or furloughed staff (38% expect to make permanent staff reductions).
- 10% of organizations never closed.
- 14% have already re-opened.
- 22% plan to open in 2020.
- 6% plan to open in 2021.
- 48% have no target date for re-opening.
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Impact On Artist/Creative Workers
Artists/creatives are among the most severely affected workers by the pandemic.
63% have become fully unemployed.
They expect to lose an average of $22,200 each in creativity-based income in 2020 ($50.6 billion, nationally).
Findings are based on 24,200 survey responses.
- 94% report loss of income.
- 79% experienced a decrease in creative work that generated income (62% “drastic decrease”).
- 66% are unable to access the supplies, resources, spaces, or people necessary for their work.
- 78% have no post-pandemic financial recovery plan.
- Black, Indigenous, and artists of color have higher rates of unemployment than white artists due to the pandemic (69% vs. 60%).
- They also expect to lose a larger percentage of their income (61% vs. 56%).
Top Needs for Artists: unemployment insurance, food/housing assistance, forgivable business loans.