Global Crisis and the Creative Industries

Book excerpt: Workers in the creative industries are highly motivated, resilient, and innovative and these characteristics have come to the fore during the global health and resultant economic crises enveloping the world. This shortform book analyses transformation in the arts as a result of this era of polycrisis. The author interrogates public policy, legislative developments, and financial support systems to assist the arts sector around the world. Utilising interview responses from various artists and creatives, the book takes the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global creative industries as its central case study. It looks at the historical relationship between art and times of global crises, the policy initiatives implemented around the world in response to Covid-19 to rescue and support creative industries, explores the ways in which audiences, artists, and creatives responded during the first year of the pandemic, and looks towards future opportunities for the creative industries sector. The book also highlights the importance of higher education for the future creative industries workforce. Providing a concise, yet holistic interpretation of the early impact of the pandemic, the book summarises recent developments, and proposes future directions relevant to students and scholars involved in the creative economy.