COVID-19 measures are slowly being lifted, cases are no longer triple digits and we are finally seeing a shed of light at the end of the tunnel. However, a particular sector is still being left in the dark; the arts.
After a post that was made by Jeremy Grech, a performing artist, numerous artists and performers have come forward to express their concerns on the matter. Artists have been put to the sidelines with no indication or direction of what is the next step for them.
This pandemic has brought to light many things and it has also uncovered the harsh reality of it all. Individuals that hold job titles that are considered “non-essential” are left confused as to when they are able to return to work.
The arts and entertainment sector have been given the cold shoulder and many students and artists around the island have expressed their concerns and opinions on the matter. Arts is a sector that is not respected enough and not highly regarded. It is seen as extra and maybe even irrelevant in both economic and social terms.
But, at the end of the day…
If it weren’t for that stand-up comedian that made you laugh on a bad day, that moving performance that changed your perspective on a topic, and that graceful dancer that left you mesmerised, our spirits would be lower than ever. It is the arts that are able to pick us when we are spiralling to a dark place and sometimes, a little laughter is all we need.
It is a well-known fact that the arts in Malta are obviously not held in the highest of regard, why? It is not seen as a profession… it’s just a hobby.
Jeremy Grech, Performing Artist
While certain aspects of the sector were allowed to operate under strict conditions, everything came to a halt last March. Even though it resulted that arts education facilities have next to zero transmission within theatre audiences, casts, or schools, there is still no indication as to what the next step forward is. I reached out to USPA (University Students of Performing Arts Association), to get their insight on the matter.
Despite that discipline and responsibility, the sector seemed to have been totally ignored while planning the exit plan, with authorities meeting to consult with associations, workers, and other stakeholders only after the fact.
Alex Weenink, USPA Public Relations Officer
It is a passion but it is also a job…
Students, current and aspiring art workers, and even theatre enthusiasts are disheartened to see that this art sector is given no importance to society. Weenink, carried on saying;
If governmental bodies act in this way, it is then no surprise to see the same line of thinking drip down into the general population, leading to a notion of ‘freebie culture’ where people expect artistic content to be entirely free for their enjoyment and use, and that art workers are only hobbyists or second class citizens.
Art workers are losing their jobs and as a result, are forced to work in completely different sectors to make ends meet. It is important to note that artists and performers are not paid for rehearsals, they go through blood, sweat, and tears because they love what they do. And they want to show that they love what they do to the rest of us.
However, when you see your work being unappreciated and the authorities not taking into consideration the work that goes behind the scenes, it is only natural for one to be discouraged.
Another issue is that we are not paid for rehearsals. So why should we start working on something that might be cancelled the week before? After all that hard work we won’t earn anything as our payday is show day.
Jeremy Grech, Performing Artist
The public spoke out
We asked what the audience thinks about the authorities not addressing the situation and students from different backgrounds have put forward their opinion on the issue;
They’ll never address it because God forbid the artists get paid.
There’s been little acknowledgement and supports of the arts and limited opportunities for revival.
The arts are not being addressed. This acts as a big disservice to such creative and hard-working people.
Fighting through the pandemic
Weenink praised the art students that have shown real resilience, perseverance and creativity, despite the lack of motivation one may feel in this dire situation. However, he stated what a total disservice it is that the Arts sector is still considered as an “extracurricular” when performing arts education provides you with essential twenty-first-century life skills that we may take for granted.
While artists and performers deserve a big round of applause for still pushing through the pandemic, despite the challenges they have faced, it is high time that the arts sector is taken more seriously here in Malta.
And as Grech stated in his post, this is not a call for help, this is a call for arts!
