Bouncing Back Survey Says
COVID-19 significantly impacted demand for cultural products, programs and services, survey says
Over the course of the past year, the cultural community had to cancel and/or postpone thousands of public programs, lessons, exhibitions, events, performances and festivals, as well as closing or limiting access to venues such as museums, galleries, theatres, schools and community centres. According to a recent survey, issued by SaskCulture, in partnership with SK Arts and Creative Saskatchewan, only seven per cent of respondents were able to operate as usual since COVID-19 began; 44% operated with limited programs/production; 34% operated with some modifications; and another seven per cent shut down completely. After a year of public health restrictions, respondents said that demand for their products, programs and services had decreased by 67% over the course of the year.
The survey, open from June 21 to July 6, 2021, heard from 408 individuals coming from different cultural areas including arts, creative industries, heritage, as well as those working in multicultural, ethno-cultural and Indigenous cultural work and expression. The results showed that while some cultural endeavors were able to adapt and find new online audiences, 76% had significantly decreased or decreased revenues; 41% of respondents had challenges with volunteers, 36% had technology challenges and 28% had staffing challenges.
The respondents provided a lot of important feedback. At this point, the funding partners have taken time to review the results and are working on ways to best support the community going forward.
The complete report can be downloaded via the download option on the menu to the right. If you have any questions about the results or would like to hear more, please let us know. Send us an email at info@saskculture.ca and we will follow up as soon as possible.