Artists have felt the ripple effects and ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic across all mediums. Any and all places to gather as an audience were closed off during the early months of the pandemic. Performances and gigs were cancelled. Art galleries shut down. Stages remain empty. The financial and mental impact was instantaneous and overwhelming. A majority of artists report higher rates of chronic stress and financial insecurity, resulting in drastically decreased creative productivity.

 

According to the Americans for the Arts Action Fund, arts and cultural productions contributed $7 billion to Nevada's state economy in 2016. The City of Reno grants allocated to arts organizations generate an estimated $7.9 million back to the state, more than a 385% return on investment. Renoites spend roughly $89 million on the arts, employing over 2,500 people in Washoe County alone. This makes arts and culture the fourth largest employer in the county.

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As the pandemic continues, artists have figured out solutions to ensure their creations are heard and seen. Concerts and galleries are now socially distanced, and theaters and dance companies are now utilizing virtual options to still have an audience. "Pandemic Performers" tells the story of four different artists across the artistry spectrum to not only to show how their art has changed, but also how the pandemic has impacted their personal lives.