COVID-19 Significantly Impacted Demand for Cultural Products, Programs and Services, Survey Says
This past year, SaskCulture, in partnership with SK Arts and Creative Saskatchewan, surveyed members of the cultural community to learn more about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cultural programming in the province. The survey, called Bouncing Back from COVID-19, ran from June 14 to July 6, 2021 and received 408 responses from a wide cross section of the cultural community.
According to the survey, 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 survey respondents, only seven percent of respondents were able to operate as usual since COVID-19 began; 44% operated with limited programs; 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. Read the final report here, to find out more about the different areas of impact and the concerns about recovery going forward.