COVID-19 and the Performing Arts

Abstract

Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has left a major impact on the world over the last year. Any industry that relies on in-person attendance has been deeply disrupted by the global shutdowns, quarantines and mandates that have been put in place to protect public health. For museums, concert halls, and other organizations that rely on in-person audience participation, having to shut their doors necessitated finding new ways of providing audiences with safe and accessible arts content along with developing new sources of revenue. This paper will take a closer look at how non-profit performing arts organizations have adapted to our new way of living since March of 2020. More specifically, the author will explore the changes in the performance programming, funding, and overall function of a variety of performing arts organizations throughout the pandemic.