The Impact?
Approximately 600 completed surveys were received, and the survey distinguished between:
Survey Responses by Domain
Domain |
Percentage |
Cultural & Natural Heritage |
3% |
Performance & Celebration |
28% |
Visual Arts & Crafts |
16% |
Books and Press |
5% |
Audio-Visual & Interactive Media |
31% |
Design & Creative Services |
10% |
Support Activities |
6% |
Formal sector operators seem to have experienced a higher proportion of cancellations of scheduled work than freelancers, possibly because of their longer-term planning horizons. Similarly, employers were more likely to have had scheduled work cancelled than freelancers. While those operating in a mostly not face-to-face mode initially experienced more cancellations (68%) than those operating mostly face-to-face, there were a greater proportion of face-to-face operations that experienced cancellations in future months.
Some respondents indicated that they were using the time productively to invest in the future of their businesses, which included:
Less sustainable strategies involved short-term access to finance, which included:
Other strategies being used were:
Using the information on the characteristics of each domain a vulnerability score, out of 10, was developed for each domain, where a higher number indicates greater vulnerability
Vulnerability Score by Domain
Domain |
Freelance |
Mostly F2F |
Informal |
Weighted vulnerability score out of 10 (ranking) |
Cultural & Natural Heritage |
35.0% |
85.7% |
10.5% |
5.55 (4) |
Performance & Celebration |
67.5% |
95.2% |
36.9% |
7.52 (1) |
Visual Arts & Crafts |
72.5% |
50.0% |
47.8% |
5.63 (3) |
Books and Press |
56.7% |
26.7% |
33.1% |
3.70(6) |
Audio-Visual & Interactive Media |
63.7% |
71.7% |
33.5% |
6.17 (2) |
Design & Creatives Services |
56.9% |
30.0% |
34.5% |
3.90(5) |
TOTAL |
62.4% |
68.6% |
34.9% |
6.00 |
Using an input output table developed to include the CCIs the average impact of the Covid-19 shutdown per domain for 2020 (Gross Domestic Product in billions of rand and percentage impact on the sector itself):
Two domains: the book and press and the designing creative services domains had the least impact and many authors and designers could continue working during Covid lockdown. On the other hand, the Performance and Celebration domain is most vulnerable (because of the high proportion of freelance and face-to-face production).
What, if anything were the positives?
Generally, the sector was forced to become more innovative in order to survive. One of the positive outcomes of the lockdown has been the increased use of information and communication technology (ICT). This has been particularly useful for enterprises and freelancers that have the equipment and the skills necessary to exploit these technologies. Unfortunately, many creatives, particularly in rural areas, could not access or use ICTs. Nevertheless, the use of these technologies has speeded up the 4th Industrial Revolution and will have positive consequences in the long-term for the South African creative economy. Creative are using the time to up-skill and acquired new skills.
2. The department have rolled out Covid 19 relief initiatives and invited practitioners to apply to date 4971arts practitioners have benefitted from these initiatives.
\