Recommendations to Govts. for Reopening the Arts et al. COVID

~ create vaccination app - where people have their paperwork of being vaccinated - in the case - that they need to prove they have been vaccinated….

~have electronical tickets as well as digital proof of vaccination ( if needed)

Make an announcement nationally etc…. about reopening the arts

~Have all or the majority of performers vaccinated….set aside a special time (2 - 4 week time etc) they can be vaccinated - arts performers are also essential workers as they help with trauma release, as well as refilling people, creating joy among people - to move past the trauma of the pandemic … or to honor those who have died etc… fast track performers to be vaccinated….

~Offer a Stimulus package to the Orchestras, groups etc….. to help them to reopoen. Previous Aid helped tie them over so the industry didn’t die and so specific orchestras stayed in existence although many arts groups closed during the pandemic. Have govt funding available to them to help them reopen — for performers to get back into their spaces, and rehearse….. Also provide funding for the halls etc… to change their filters and upgrade their halls if needed in relation to covid…

~Have groups begin rehearsals (with govt help to tie over the industry as they reopen)

~ Begin to match funders (medical industry and business/Financial industry)- to arts and humanities industries for funding…. so arts and humanities have what they need (non-profits etc have what they need) (even in this case you would still offer a stimulus to the arts field etc… so the orgnanizations have what they need to be lifted off the ground etc). ….long term you can think about whether you want to offer a permanent subsidy to the arts or not… you want to do this so arts groups can reopen and have expenses covered and gain trust of the people as the customers get vaccinated.. and return to supporting this industry.

~ Have specific protocols put in place for reopening - across the industry…. as there are different musicians / artists performing with different groups etc…. currently, protocols are different and it could open them up to contamination… the same thing with audiences… set a standard for all performing arts groups …. whether it is a certain percentage in the arts in the state being vaccinated…. or a certain percentage before they fully reopen…. etc. … You need to give them rehearsal time together… as the majority of artists have been away from each other throughout this time.. for respect of the industry and the individuals you must provide them with paid rehearsal time so they can readjust and get ready for reopening… as well as funding to offset the cost of reopening.

~Through the summer - artists or groups (orchestras etc) may need funding to rent the spaces to perform outside etc… or to offset the costs …. so the orchestra can come together and perform.

~If orchestras are going to open at a percentage capacity - like the church has … the thought is they will need a stimulus to do the reopening - so they do not fold —- (keep this in mind also as the church has similar expenses — and needs to be open for the faith of the people.. and to continue raising funds -we have also opened at a specific capacity and increased it - — with seats being roped off in the beginning openings, to now increasing seating as able…. - the church and other faith spaces are to be seen as a model for the arts to reopen as well….. with capacities and levels of what can occur within a hall - just as what can occur in a church)….

~Many of the artists have been furloughed… You have to provide a stimulus package etc… to get them fully signed etc… and orchestras and other arts groups signed by the fall so that the industry does not just survive but thrive (so the economy in this area is back up and thriving).- Remember you want to keep a balance between all the industries…

~If most artists are vaccinated - if reaffirms the trust of the audience etc…. having the audience return and more fully support the industry. This further offers reassurance to to clients and funders, other organizations /foundations etc that will provide funding that it is safe to begin again - and to continue to support the arts - if they were questioning it before - or if they pulled back during the pandemic.

~ overall - whatever funding has been given - just tied groups over to have some of their needs met - every person has taken a pay cut etc… they most likely - and it has been confirmed - many do not have the funding to reopen on their own, without some form of support from the government. Other orchestras and performing groups have already folded.

~So far the arts are thinking about 70 minute performances - with no intermission - bathrooms should be available and open.

~ Have the halls up to standards with changed air filters etc.. .and ready to go for opening in the fall…

~ You may be able to use orchestras and performing groups to help boost confidence in the people to be vaccinated, encourage vaccination for herd immunity (besides the one off celebrities) - biggest fear is if people are not vaccinated and there is another strand - people may not be protected — people are more protected with a vaccine. If people have herd immunity and you can prove herd immunity in a given area that is great! Otherwise…. open as able given the location etc… just as we have with restaurants, churches, and shopping centers and other industries….

(being here in NYC - I have not seen too many people afraid …. they are happy to get back to a better way of life than what they were existing in during the pandemic. People I know here in NYC have taken the vaccines and have been happy to get them, so we reach herd immunity and so we can fully open.)

I will add more soon ~

~If needed, concerts can be online registration - the organizations feel it is needed (for St Patricks we do not register for mass… other churches have you register for mass…. )

~ All performing arts groups should try to do outside performances during the summer

~Increase outdoor green space and performing spaces so performances can occur throughout the summers etc… and outside… not just inside etc.

~aim to reopen the arts nationally - by the fall — have all artists vaccinated by the fall etc… if orchestras/the arts are not able to reopen by the fall - the funding should still be provided to help the orchestras to truly go digital on a deep level - where they can truly expand what they offer and the performances are able to be recorded and shared with others etc. Different orchestras did not have the funding to do this this past year, or a way to really make this transition. If part of the take away from the pandemic is to be more tech advanced…. you will want to provide a form of funding to help the arts to make this happen (especially if they have not been able to do this yet). As stated different times before - some orchestras/ arts groups were not able to present new performances online, some of them just replayed previous performances already recorded. Few arts programs were able to create new material digitally etc… you would want to equip them with the tech to be able to do this.

brexit - still need to provide funding for the arts… or your arts industry will crash. Provide funding to help with transition to reopening…

~Give time for the unions to discuss contracts and negotiations before the scheduled fall restart for the programs.

~ Give time for groups to reconvene and rehearse before fully re-opening - remember in some cases these orchestras have been out for a year… they need time to be physically present with each other again to start playing again etc especially if they are not playing through the summer or are not playing at full capacity etc. For those who have not been able to play with others throughout this time, this gives them the ability to hone those skills of playing or performing in a group again.

~When the govt is working on their funding for this year, include in funding for the arts…. many arts groups have seen a loss in govt funding throughout the years pre-pandemic…. the pandemic just made it worse. It is alot easier for the arts to perform and share their gifts and talents if they do not have to worry about funding as much as they currently do. We understand they need to come up with the majority of their funding, however, as a non-profit…. and the reality that quite a few non-profits run on a deficit….. most non-profits need outside funding besides their audience/clients to support them.. etc…. come up with ways they can be supported throughout the year…. whether it be increasing govt funding or helping them find ways to connect with donors etc… or have the math and sciences and other fields… partner with an arts group to donate to etc..

Remember, This further offers reassurance to to clients and funders, other organizations /foundations etc that will provide funding that it is safe to begin again - and to continue to support the arts - if they were questioning it before - or if they pulled back during the pandemic. This will help them to know it is safe to return and that things are opening in a new way …. for the new way — post pandemic etc.

~Tourism should reopen after the arts reopen.