The Arts industry is recovering from the Covid 19 Pandemic

JACKSON, TN (WNBJ)-

The arts and entertainment industry suffered during the pandemic because people were not able to attend live performances, 39 new’s alexander bitterling caught up with some members of the arts community to hear how they have recovered from the lockdowns

“This time last year theaters like this were completely empty. After a year of lockdown and no live performances, people are eager to get out and enjoy a show or a concert.”

Artists found creative ways to continue to bring the arts to the community during the lockdowns

"One of the most creative things that we did was what we call symphony on the move. And we decided to take at least pieces of our orchestra and perform outside in neighborhoods and surrounding communities," says Elizabeth Stokes of the Jackson Symphony.

Lizzie Emmons the executive director of the Jackson Arts Council shares some of the struggles that artists had while trying to continue their craft, “Audience attendance and funding. We weren’t able to sell as many tickets because people weren’t going to events as much, so those were our primary issues as an arts community here in Jackson.”

After so many months without many in-person performances, the arts community in West Tennessee has begun to perform again.

“We are seeing that the community really wants to attend arts events… the arts are really thriving, we’ve seen additional programming in the arts, there's tons going on right now in the community for arts, so we are really finding our footing getting into a new normal of what people are comfortable with,” says Emmons.

John Kimbrough says that the ned theater is experiencing a surge of activity now that thinks are opening back up, "We are basically full for the next year, we are booking for 2022, 2023 now… all of December, all of January, all of February and most of march is booked.”

The Jackson symphony has experienced the same welcoming from the community.

“As we’ve started our 61st concert season we’ve seen our tables filling up, our rooms filling up, a great response tp getting back out there,” says Stokes.

Lizzie Emmons says that the arts provide what life during the lockdowns was lacking, “We’re all finding an appreciation for community…what else can draw community as strongly as arts and culture.”