At the end of 2019, the cultural and creative economy was a European heavyweight with a turnover of €643 billion and a total added value of €253 billion in 2019, the core activities of the Cultural and creative industries (CCIs) represented 4.4% of EU GDP in terms of total turnover. The economic contribution of CCIs was greater than that of telecommunications, high technology, pharmaceuticals, or the automotive industry. At the end of 2019, CCIs employed more than 7.6 million people in the EU-28, and they have added approximately 700,000 (+10%) jobs, including authors, performers, and other creative workers, since 2013. Between 2013 and 2019, the CCI sectors experienced constant growth rates.

The virus and its mutants have not allowed us to meet in larger groups or gather as an audience without significant risk to our health. These invisible enemies have made it impossible to gather in theatres, cinemas, concert halls, galleries, and museums to do what we all love: experience and enjoy art together.

In Austria and Vienna in particular, serious measures were taken to endorse all those who make art, who have decided to dedicate their energy to artistic creation. All the cultural infrastructure that has been developed, built and established over the past years and decades should survive these difficult months unscathed.
In 2020, additional budget funds flowed directly from the federal government’s Covid-19 crisis management fund to artists, the federal museums, the National Library, the Federal Theatre Group, and to non-profit organizations.

In 2021, thinking started about the post-pandemic period and setting up measures: From Stage to Video promotes streams and videos of cultural events, Fresh Air – Art in the Open Air supports outdoor cultural formats. Perspectives. Innovation.

Art aims at new artistic and cultural fields of activity. And under the title Comeback Audience, activities for the retention and participation of existing and new audiences took place. A separate investment program is designed to make cultural organizers fit for the new start and to help modernize infrastructure.

Impact Goal 2: The engagement with art and culture is an essential factor for the high quality of life of a society. Art and culture are part of Austria’s self-image and traditionally also provide essential impulses for the economic development of the country. The tangible and intangible cultural heritage holds broad potential for sustainable social development and represents an essential basis for the future direction of society.

With creativity and ingenuity, ways to reach the audience were sought and found during the lockdowns. Videos and streams, online visits to museums, education programs in the living room, apps and hashtags, and events were moved outdoors. If the arts and culture budget for 2020 is analyzed according to departments, the expenditure amounts to approximately € 447.014 million.
The measures taken by the federal government against the impact of the Coronavirus on cultural life are unprecedented for Austria. Here are some examples:
Covid-19 Fund. The Covid-19 Fund of the Artists’ Social Insurance Fund was set up as a culturally specific support option to compensate for the loss of income caused by closures and cancellations. This fund initially enabled all those working in the arts and culture to receive the support of € 1,000. The Covid-19 Fund was endowed with up to € 20 million as of 31 December 2020 and was intended to ensure rapid assistance. Benefits from this fund can also be drawn in 2021. For this purpose, the fund was increased to € 40 million. Artists’ Social Insurance Fund Act as well as the associated guidelines concerning the fund.