As the pandemic generated upheaval for all people and sectors, arts organizations moved into a period of intense transition.
Generally reliant on in-person engagement, arts organizations found themselves struggling to connect with their audiences and facing debilitating losses in earned revenue. And yet arts leaders’ belief in the importance and power of art, creativity and expression — even and perhaps especially during periods of fear and crisis — did not waver.
To continue engaging audiences and sustain hard-built infrastructure, many organizations entered a period of experimentation and discovery. In Delaware — as elsewhere — organizations moved content online, moved experiences outdoors, and redesigned their spaces to permit social distancing. They developed and implemented rigorous protocols to support the safety of their staff and communities.
Organizations rooted in communities experiencing the greatest consequences of the pandemic sought to provide support in whatever ways they could, through varying forms of care, connection and resources. Despite the crisis, all of these organizations demonstrated extraordinary resilience, commitment and creativity buoyed by programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and flexible support from funders.
At the same time, the murder of George Floyd in May 2020 gave momentum to a reckoning already begun in the arts and culture sector.
