CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a previous story.
While other industries have experienced economic gains, 65 nonprofits that are funded by Cuyahoga County Arts & Culture continue to be negatively impacted by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
RELATED: More local news from WKYC
According to a release, a survey found that the nonprofits are continuing to report layoffs as organizations operate with lesser capacities.
The survey, which was taken of 65 General Operating Support grant recipients, showed that "steady job loss and revenue loss has continued in 2021." Altogether, the organizations reported 1,636 total people being laid off, furloughed or with reduced hours between January and June 2021.
As far as revenue, organizations lost $27,023,358 in earned and contributed revenue (ticket sales, admissions, donations, etc.) from January 2021-June 2021. At its current rate, 2021 losses will be at least half as much as in 2020, which would ensure a second consecutive year of significantly reduced revenues for the organizations.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 through June 30, 2021, the organizations have reported the following statistics
- Total people laid off, furloughed, or hours reduced: 4,793
- Total revenue loss: $146,025,012
- Total federal funds (CARES Act, Shuttered Venue Operators Grants, etc.) received: $81,294,617
- Total revenue loss not recouped: $64,730,395
“The hard truth is that the creative economy will be one of the last to recover from the pandemic,” said Jill M. Paulsen, executive director of CAC. “Ohio’s creative industry continues to suffer from the highest unemployment rate among all sectors. CAC has accelerated payment of our grants and worked with Cuyahoga County to secure CARES Act funding, but it may not be enough for some organizations.
“We are grateful for the flexibility and creativity CAC-funded organizations have shown so they can continue to be in service of residents. Over 14,000 events or activities were shifted to be online, with lower capacity, or altered with some other precautions. The dedication of these organizations to serve their communities despite the hardest of circumstances is truly impressive."