The role of artists and the arts in rescuing the economy

The Australian arts industry was one of the earliest economic casualties of Covid-19 as museums, theatres, galleries, festivals and music venues shut down to avoid a public health crisis leading to massive job losses --even as more than ever we rely on music, TV and books to help us cope with isolation.

In this episode we're bringing you some special guests from our ‘Economics of a Pandemic webinar series: Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young, author and playwright Melanie Tait and chief economist Richard Denniss who joined a discussion on the role of arts and artists in the economy.

Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young // @sarahinthesen8

Melanie Tait, author and playwright //@MelanieTait

Richard Denniss, chief economist of the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI

Producer: Jennifer Macey with help from River McCrossen.

Theme music is by Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum

we'll leave you with this song by Wollongong singer/songwriter Kay Proudlove which she posted on her instagram page @kay_proudlove