During this unprecedented time, the government have failed to mention the hugely negative impact on the arts, which the public rely so heavily on every single day without even realising. Without our industry, of course there would be theatres, but also no radio or television presenters, no television shows, film, festivals, music, tours: the list is truly endless. All of these provide escapism for millions of people each year, not to mention that the theatre industry alone is a multi-billion-pound industry employs thousands and provides a colossal attraction to the capital alone.
 
What our industry needs is for the government to back the following:
-       Encourage all public entities to pay all contracts and agreements, including those of cancelled events
-       Provide clear and accurate information on what help is available for artists at local, national and European levels
-       Maintain the existing funding schemes and adapt their rules accordingly (e.g. Extend funding cycles)
-       Undertake a comprehensive review and calculation of the crisis-related financial losses and compensate as much damage as possible
-       Integrate culture and the arts in economic and social regeneration strategies, recognising their tremendous value for the well-being of citizens, as well as their power to unite even when it is impossible to commune
-       Involve performing arts sector stakeholders in the dialogue on how to design a long-term strategy for reviving and strengthening the sector
-       Ensure that future/similar crises do not undermine the sector again
 
This is only a short list of possible actions the government could take to protect and better the lives of the performing arts community, and sustained and active advocacy is essential. This government’s continued complacency is endorsing the collapse of the arts industry, especially our theatres.