The Cultural Response to Covid-19

Common Vision have this week shared a report – ‘Creativity, Culture and Connection’ – formed from their research project which examined responses from arts and culture organisations in the COVID-19 crisis.

For the arts and cultural sector, the initial months of the Covid-19 pandemic have been a time of deep instability and uncertainty, but also a time for collaboration, strategic thinking, and resetting values and priorities. Through interviews and focus groups, Common Vision spoke to over 100 cultural practitioners around the UK to understand how the new context has affected their work and future plans.

The research shines a light on the stories of creative solidarity, civic responsibility and public cultural value that arts organisations provide, contributing to vital social infrastructure and community resilience. They demonstrate that what matters in the arts are not objects, events, or activities in isolation, but the web of relationships between people that make culture happen.

We were glad to take part, and add our experience and insights, discussing community solidarity and online accessibility, including projects such as For Solidarity, the Lockdown Gazette, Co-investigators and our online resources. We hope the report will be useful to others in the coming months.

Common Vision is a think tank working to change the narrative around our shared future. They use the power of positive ideas to detoxify angry, binary debates and unite people around long-term intergenerational goals. They aim to revitalise public diplomacy by championing deliberative dialogue and encouraging established and new leaders to work together to turn collective social challenges into opportunities. This includes telling stories and building movements around communities of interest and place.