COVID-19 and Sheffield's cultural sector: planning for recovery

Covid-19’s impact on arts, culture and heritage sector revealed by landmark report.

The report, commissioned by researchers from the University of Sheffield's Faculty of Arts and Humanities and Faculty of Social Sciences, working with Chamberlain Walker Economics and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, has revealed that the sector suffered from a 60 per cent decline in output - gross value added (GVA) - due to social distancing rules and lockdowns over the past 18 months. This new report revealing the economic impact of Covid-19 on the UK’s arts, culture and heritage sector forms part of wider work, coordinated by the University of Sheffield and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, focussed on the recovery of the South Yorkshire arts and cultural sector following the devastating impact of Covid-19.

• University of Sheffield-commissioned report reveals the economic impact of Covid-19 on the UK’s arts, culture and heritage sector
• Report reveals the sector suffered from a 60 per cent decline in output due to social distancing rules and lockdowns
• Restrictions led to 55 per cent of jobs being furloughed in the sector - the second highest in the UK
• Impact of restrictions varied within the sector - computer games, software, book publishing, TV broadcasting and libraries grew or had modest declines, whereas cinemas, performing arts, museums and historical sites were badly affected

Read the press release here

Read the report here

Research design overview

School of English

Professor Vanessa Toulmin (PI), Dr Sarah Price

Department of Music

Professor Stephanie Pitts, Professor Renee Timmers 

Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Professor Malcolm Tait, Dr Madeleine Pill, Dr Stephen Hincks

Partnerships and Regional Engagement

Fran Marshall