Research suggests that the arts—a sprawling industry of museums, theaters, studios, production companies, artists, administrators and more—have lost over $15 billion in the COVID-19 pandemic. But the losses go beyond financial to the existential: who are we without the arts? Kate Levin, who oversees the Bloomberg Philanthropies Arts program, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about how the losses of these experiences impact everything from people's mental health, to neighborhood and community cohesion, to social services. They also talk about signs of hope for the future including support of the arts in the most recent disaster relief bill.
KEYWORDS: community mental health; performing arts; pandemic response
Public Health On Call