Consumption of Art in Times of Crisis
Consumption of Art in Times of Crisis

Summary/Abstract: Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the arts and culture sector has faced a paradoxical situation. While demand for cultural and creative content has intensified over the lockdown period and digital access has become more critical than ever, economic indicators predict that the cultural sector will be one of the most affected and probably one of those that will recover slowly. Beyond short-term initiatives, such as surveys or data collection, aimed at providing artists and intermediaries with financial and logistical support, both academics and practitioners need to engage in a common mindset on the future of art consumption, especially from a consumer perspective. This article addresses the main challenges facing the arts and culture economy in times of global health crisis, identifying the specifics of cultural goods and services. Specifically, the paper shows the extent to which traditional consumption patterns have been affected and what research is needed to develop sustainable solutions. We argue that consumers will be critical actors in the recovery process, and in this respect four research directions are suggested: the collection of data on consumer cultural practices; consumers and digital cultural experience; consumer involvement and fidelity in art and culture; consumer welfare.

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