Read the full article by Patti Roberts at The Sacramento Observer and Sacramento News & Review
Many businesses were affected by the economic downturn spurred by COVID lockdowns and social-distancing mandates. Especially hard hit were local performing arts organizations including theater, dance and music.
“The nonprofit performing arts sector is facing an existential crisis like never before,” said Julie Baker, CEO of Californians for the Arts. “During COVID, we were the first to close and the last to reopen.”
Baker made these stark remarks at a workshop held in Sacramento Aug. 18 in response to the growing concern about the impact of COVID and other challenges facing nonprofit arts groups. Californians for the Arts organized workshops in four other cities — Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and San Diego — titled “Adapting in Crisis: Toward a Resilient Performing Arts Sector.”
Here in Sacramento, Californians for the Arts partnered with the city’s Office of Arts and Culture, the Latino Center for Arts and Culture, and Celebration Arts to host more than 80 local participants gathered at the Celebration Arts theater on B Street to listen to presenters and panel members discuss the trials, tribulations and solutions for getting audiences back in seats.