While many of our businesses have been able to adapt to reopening protocols in a joint effort to protect the health and safety of both employees and consumers, currently it is an entirely different story for New Hampshires arts and culture economy. At best, its journey to recovery is going to be slow and extremely challenging. At worst, without additional support, many are at of risk of having to close despite the creativity and innovation they have shown throughout this pandemic.

In an industry that relies almost completely on bringing people together, the impacts of COVID-19 have been catastrophic. In the latest numbers pulled together by the Granite Stage, a Facebook based resource for New Hampshire theater, over 40 performing arts companies and festivals have either canceled their summer season or canceled the rest of their 2020 season altogether. In a recent presentation to stakeholders, we heard how 71% of arts-based nonprofits have had to lay off staff in order to keep afloat.

In New Hampshire, the creative economy is a $2.6 billion industry, employing over 2,200 full time staff. The ripple effect on our main streets and surrounding businesses is significant. In Portsmouth, for example, The Music Hall brings in 130,000 patrons every year who go on to spend an average of $27 to $37 per person in event-related expenditures including dinner, drinks, and parking. In Concord, at the Capitol Center for the Arts that number is $18 for locals and up to $49 per person for patrons coming in from out of town.

Closure of a theatre, concert hall or museum means more than the loss of a show or a gallery opening. It is the loss of jobs, contracts, and an economic driver that has revitalized downtowns across the Granite State and brings visitors to New Hampshire.

The arts sector is particularly resilient. It has been common practice among professional artists to not only create, but defend the very act of creation and its impact. In the case of New Hampshire, that impact equals $57 million in direct expenditures, local and state government revenues of $6 million, and $60 million in arts-related spending annually.

In response to this crisis our arts organizations have been extremely innovative in reaching out to their clientele, but often with little or no remuneration. Artists have converted their front lawns into drive-by art galleries. Theaters have quarantined together in order to continue the art of live performances which are showcased online. Musicians, who have lost half a years salary in canceled performances, continue to host online free concerts for their audiences. Music teachers have also brought their students online. Dance teachers are sending their students new choreography and checking in to make sure that the years of progress made in training and discipline are not lost in the time they are apart. In short, our arts and culture sector has been bringing us the very thing that we all have been missing, human connection.

As we begin to emerge as a state from the COVID-19 crisis, it will be the role of our arts and culture organizations to continue to help combat the long-term effects of social distancing and isolation. It will be the job of our artists to bring people back together and allow us to share our stories in a meaningful way as well as displacing feelings of loneliness that have become more prevalent, particularly among our most vulnerable populations.

While the stories of perseverance by this vital sector of our economy are inspiring, the loss of actual participation and engagement by attendees, performers and artists cannot be ignored. When someone watches a video online or attends a virtual class, concert, play, exhibition or arts event, the revenue is a fraction of what could be made through in-person attendance. Upon reopening, reduced seating capacity going forward will significantly minimize a venues main revenue stream. Most arts and cultural organizations rely on a combination of direct event revenue, grant funding, and private donations to stay afloat. As the economy as a whole takes a hit, major fundraisers for these organizations have been canceled or postponed and personal liquidity has been put in danger, dramatically decreasing the number of individuals able to make personal donations.

So what do we do? We must continue to support all our arts and cultural organizations by buying virtual tickets, gift cards for our family members and friends, and safely attending their events and programs as they slowly begin to re-open. Arts organizations have worked closely with public health to create guidelines to protect both patrons and artists and their work is to be commended. If you are not already a member, become a member and support the mission of your preferred arts and cultural organizations as they have supported us throughout this pandemic. If you are able, donate in order to keep the impact of fixed overhead costs at bay. We must reach out to local government, state elected officials and our federal delegation to find additional financial support. We must do everything we can to allow these organizations to survive, thrive and do what they do best keep us connected.

Sen. Shannon Chandley represents District 11, Sen. Martha Fuller Clark represents District 21, and Sen. Jon Morgan represents District 23. The views expressed are those of the writers.

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Guest View: The show, and all other arts and culture, must go on - Seacoastonline.com