Helping Creatives Survive Covid-19 in 2020 and beyond

Interesting guest post by Mary Carty about the challenges for creatives, long time supporter of Irish Tech News

In times of crisis, we turn to the arts for solace, entertainment and perspective. Never has this been truer than these last few months, with lockdowns imposed across the globe to curb the spread of Covid-19.  Disney+ just landed in Ireland and one could say it’s the best timed launch in history. Such is the demand for online services that Netflix have reduced the quality of their streams across Europe to conserve bandwith.

The arts is embedded into our lives from the music we listen to while we work, to books we read to relax, the TV shows we binge watch with our families, and the festivals and theatre we attend with friends. Culture, arts and live events are integral to how we express ourselves, find community and define ourselves. As we navigate this new normal from our bedrooms and apartments; the consumption of games, films, podcasts and online courses has exploded. While we are missing live events, the arts community has stepped up to provide a wide range of content online, to keep us sane and to provide much needed respite in this stressful period.

With this level of attention you’d think it would be a good time for creatives. Not so simple. According to the National Campaign for the Arts, artists earn less than €10,000 a year on average in Ireland.  Their practices depend on audience participation, concerts, performances and exhibitions. Production for these events often takes years and cannot be rescheduled easily. Development time has also been curtailed as teams cannot gather together to prepare future work. If you consider that festivals are planned up to five years in advance, the knock on effect to the community is immense.

Independent makers and craft people cannot sell their produce at markets; writers cannot take part in author events and school workshops, a mainstay of their livelihood. Only yesterday the entirety of the Edinburgh Fringe was cancelled, a massive blow to the sector. Columnists have faced job cuts as advertising revenue has fallen off a cliff.

Many creatives supplement their income working in zero hour contract jobs in the retail and hospitality sectors. Not alone is current artistic work cancelled so too are the jobs that keep food on the table. Cultural workers are often the most socially invisible in society and many fall through the cracks when needing support.

So, how do we ensure our local musicians, writers, makers and designers survive Covid-19? Thankfully, there are lots of things we can do, big and small, that will make a difference. And technology plays a huge part.

Pay the artist

There is a massive difference in streaming your favourite album than paying the artist directly for it.  To further explain this; an online petition last week asked Spotify, a leading streaming service, to triple royalty payments to cover concert losses. Currently, it is estimated that musicians earn $3.18 per 1,000 streams (the company does not disclose this information). Recently, statements shared online show that Spotify’s royalty rate has dropped. As streaming gives the artist a few cents at best, every album paid for in full via the artist’s website adds up.

The other thing we can do, is support platforms like Bandcamp who are transparent about royalties and revenue splits for merchandise and digital assets.  We can also use online payment platforms like Paypal and Patreon to support individuals with one-off donations or small monthly subscriptions. Ko-fi is another good example here.

Subscribe to journals, newspapers, magazines and podcasts. The quality and variety of content across all niches and subjects is breath-taking. Find your interests and follow the creators on social media too.

It is heartening to see a surge in subscribers to Irish sports podcast The.42ie yesterday, after parent company the Journal.ie announced a scale back of operations. Community is key here and every subscription means survival.

Share the love

We all know the power of social media and in times like these why not use it for good. Share updates, news and reviews with your contacts. By doing this, you will help creatives build their communities and networks, increasing opportunities for sales and future support. Participate in online events, share online streams. Write reviews.

In fact, writing reviews is about the best thing you can do. An honest review will help the artist sell more products. What did you think about the book or the album, why did you like it, who does it remind you of, how did it inspire you? Your review will help others find the perfect thing for them. Win. Win.

If you don’t have cash right now

If you don’t have spare cash right now, there are many ways you can help. You can promote the creator by engaging with them online, writing reviews and sharing social media updates. Every kind action adds up. A simple thank you message raises the spirit every time.

Not just the cultural sector

Of course these tips and advice don’t just apply to the cultural sector. So many industries are suffering. Huge applause for Irish company Menuu who have made their digital ordering software free to Irish restaurants. With their help, you can continue to eat your favourite meals delivered to your door while supporting your local chef.

A creative future

A simple change in behaviour like paying the artist directly will ensure a better, more creative future for all of us. When this lock in ends we all want to be part of a thriving cultural scene. We want our stories to be told and we want to see ourselves reflected in these stories. We are lucky to have the most talented, innovative artists in the world. Time to support and care for them, as they support and care for us.

Mary Carty is a senior consultant and strategist at Wilson & Keys working with global technology firms, arts and cultural organisations, agencies and universities. You will find Mary on Twitter @marycarty. 

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