New York’s Arts Venues Chart Their Post-Pandemic Rebirth
Covid-19 inflicted deep wounds on cultural institutions that depend on live audiences. But the pandemic also gave them a chance to rethink their strategies, 92nd Street Y CEO Seth Pinsky says.
Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt performs at the 92nd Street Y in New York City in 2019.
Photographer: Hiroyuki Ito/Hulton Archive via Getty Images
The pandemic pummeled arts and cultural organizations across the U.S.
Broadway shows ground to a halt. Floundering music venues went on the hunt for government aid. Overall, the nation’s creative economy took a $150 billion hit from April to August 2020, researchers estimated. Nonprofit arts and culture organizations face an estimated $16 billion in losses due to the pandemic, with 932,000 jobs “no longer being supported,” according to research released this month by Americans for the Arts.