The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the arts economy. Organizations large and small have shut their doors, refunded ticket sales and braced for a longer-term financial impact. That impact has led to furloughs, layoffs and closures — and no one has been immune.
Venerated organizations like Cirque du Soleil, the Metropolitan Opera and the Boston Symphony Orchestra announced catastrophic changes to their staff, artists and art. Columbia Artists just announced they are closing for good. Unfortunately, these are not likely to be the last of these types of announcements we will see. Many theaters, symphony orchestras, museums and galleries of all sizes have already closed through spring 2021.
