The size and nature of the arts sector is often underappreciated – according to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC), there are more than 92 000 people directly employed in the sector and many more indirectly supported. The South African Cultural Observatory says the creative economy contributed R74 billion to the economy in 2018 (1.7% of national GDP). Huge parts of the sector are unlikely to survive, which is ironic, given that the arts have assumed huge significance during the pandemic, bringing people together virtually.
With R150 million set aside for artists and athletes in the Covid-19 relief budget announced by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, some people working within the creative industry were thrown a lifeline, but many were considered ineligible. To qualify, artists had to prove loss of income through the cancellation of work or an event, with DSAC-funded projects taking priority. However, as many artists are freelancers and are seldom offered contracts to sign, some of the structural problems in the industry have been highlighted.
Already largely excluded from the scope of labour law, artists could also not qualify for the Fund’s Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme benefit, and those working in rural areas had no access to the internet to apply for relief in any case. By the end of May, only 488 artists had been paid out by DSAC, with around 6 000 having applied. The money disbursed was capped at a maximum of R20 000 per artist or company.
Corporates that previously funded the arts have stepped in to support the sector during this trying period when many creative events have been cancelled. In July, Absa Art and Aspire Art Auctions held an online art sale to raise funds for the 25 participating artists and the broader arts industry. In September, the 2020 Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) Awards were launched in partnership with Hollard, to celebrate excellence and innovation across all creative mediums in the arts, with the awards event held online.
Standard Bank launched the #SBHomeStudio series, live-streaming Standard Bank Art’s Young Artists from their homes. Rand Merchant Bank contributed R75 000 to BASA’s Supporting Grant programme for South African creatives and R82 000 to the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and Mzansi Youth Choir. The V&A Waterfront hosted a Good Night Fridays livestream series of concerts, with donations to the Busker Relief Fund the only ‘cost’.
The pandemic has highlighted an urgent need to gather actionable data on the sector, including information on how much the arts contribute to society. In order to build more resilience in the sector, it is important that the arts should not be viewed as a ‘nice to have’, but as a sector central to everything from psychosocial wellbeing to tourism.
Source details: Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2020