Catherwood LibraryILR School

Performing arts organizations around the U.S. continue to suffer, with theaters, concert venues and entertainment spaces still unable to reopen as the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdowns approaches. Joblessness remains high among performing artists. According to Department of Labor data almost 20% of workers in the arts, entertainment and recreation industries remain out of work as of January. As the performing arts industry accounted for 4.5% of the nation's GDP prior to the pandemic, the rising number of closing businesses within the industry is concerning for the long term effects on the economy.