Do we need the arts?

By Tabitha

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During this pandemic, the arts have been suffering the worst from the effects of Covid-19. Specifically in the UK, musicians and others in the art sector are being told to "retrain and find other jobs" by Rishi Sunak as it becomes harder to earn money during this time.

Although he addressed that his statement wasn't specifically for those in the arts sector but rather everyone in "all walks of life", as we will all have to adapt to the new normal, it is very apparent that the arts sector has taken this personally as this has been a sector which has been attacked consistently by the government.

But what is so important about the arts? It was the arts that started a lot of what we see and have today. A lot of the art movements that exist help design and influence how we see our present and what would be better for us as a society in the future. The arts are what bring culture to our cities and entice other travellers to come visit.

As someone who has pushed my way to be seen in the creative industry, the struggle that creatives have to go through is a constant. Even during pre-covid times. I’ve had first-hand experience with hard work being disregarded in the eyes of other “academic” professions with the arts being seen as a hobby or something we could do on the side. It's very clear that not everyone possesses creative talent, and certainly not everyone works as hard as those in creative industries to perfect their craft. Seeing how the government and other businesses treat the arts demotivates me and my pursuit of becoming a set designer. What would my future look like post-pandemic? Will I have to retrain and find another job?

For a lot of us, it looks like this is a hopeless venture and we could never #savethearts. However, there are many ways in which you can do so, which can start with just supporting local creatives, sharing, and/or buying their work. Just this much is helping their product and what they do stay alive. It is saying that their hard work is recognised and still valuable to many people. The more this is publicised, the more others will begin to recognise that the arts are not just all fun and games. It requires determination, persistence, hard work and resilience. 

This is just the beginning of what you can do. The next process includes signing petitions, speaking up about the arts and their role in society, donating to different art organisations, and calling out those who believe the arts are not worth the effort of training. Organisations that you can donate to include: Almeida Theatre, The Royal Academy of the Arts and East London Dance.

We must recognise the arts are what we use to bring us hope, especially in these times. It brings us together and will help begin the movement of new ideas and what we begin to see in our “new normal”. The arts are not just a luxury; it is a combination of passion and determination to survive in the world we live in. Therefore, support your local musicians, photographers, actors, dancers and others in the arts sector. Let them know that you hear their voices and they will always be just as valued as the other sectors.