COVID-19 and the arts: An interview with Ray Giffen

These are challenging times as we face a pandemic of never seen proportions. COVID-19 is already having an impact on everyone’s daily life. People are getting sick, jobs are at risk, movement is restricted, hand sanitiser and toilet paper seem to be impossible to find.

Following recent advice, many arts venues have shut their door to keep audiences and employees safe, including The Duncairn.

We discuss the implications of this pandemic with Ray Giffen, Creative Director here at The Duncairn.

COVID-19 is bringing disruption to regular programming and arts participation as we know it, what is the Duncairn doing to manage the situation?

Ray: “We took the decision to cancel March and April events to keep people safe. Without clear official guidance it was a hard decision, but we feel it was the right one. We have a duty to protect our community. In the meantime, we are coming up with ideas to guarantee access to the arts for our community. We are putting together an “Artist Directory” that people can browse through to find one-to-one or family workshops in their favourite art form. We are also preparing 50 Family Art Packs. These will be available for collection at the centre and will include instructions, resources and everything you need to do small arts projects with the kids or for the elderly. Other ideas are still in the making, but we hope to have them ready very soon. We are focusing on coming up with creative ways to meet community needs. It is important that the community keep having access to the arts, to support them in this difficult time of uncertainty, to remain optimistic and to encourage families to be creative in dealing with this trauma. The uplifting power of the arts cannot shut down.”

Talking about job insecurity, how are artists coping? What is ahead for them?

Ray: “These will be difficult times for artists who support themselves only through their art practice and we are very aware that uncertainty fosters mental health issues. There will be a lot of talented people facing a dire situation for nobody knows how long. We are committed to support artists in every way we can, to provide them with ways of reaching their audiences and keep money coming into their pockets. At the same time, artists have a deep sense of connectivity, community, collaborating and of helping each other. I am sure artists will meet the challenge and will get through this time enriched, with new skills and ideas, with a greater sense of how to self-promote and market themselves. It is important that we all pull together, support and help each other through these very difficult and uncertain times.”

 Without people coming through the doors, what will be the impact on arts venues?

Ray: “I am pleased we have received encouraging messages from our funders, including ACNI, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Belfast City Council and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. They are willing to keep supporting us throughout the crisis, to be flexible in this time of hardship by making sure we receive the economic support we need to ensure no employee will struggle as a result of the pandemic. The will is there. At the same time though we need new urgent legislation to deal with the emergency. To make sure no-one is left behind.”

 What is going to happen after COVID-19? Will there be still hunger for live events?

Ray: “This is a time to reflect on what is important. To get our priorities straight. The importance of community and the collective spirit of collaboration will surface, of that I am certain. I am a firm believer in the philosophy of “Society should be judged on how it cares for its most vulnerable”. When we emerge from this crisis, we will need to refocus, to push for social change and a huge reinvestment in and development of key services which have been sadly and badly neglected. I hope that we come to realise with renewed vigour the importance of the arts. Arts and creativity help develop community cohesion and empathy. Art has the power to uplift and inspire and to make the world a more beautiful and caring place.

When this is over, there will be a great need to come together and celebrate. For me nothing can replace the lived experience of the arts, we’ll be all wanting to get involved again, to come together to create, to belong. I certainly cannot wait to sit in the company of friends to enjoy the first show back.

Finally, I would urge that we all take on board the advice of our health experts. Isolate as much as you can and please remember to look after and care for those most in need within our community.

Take care and stay safe. We will have us one hell of a party when this is over..”