Many freelancers and micro-enterprises work in the creative industries. These rely more heavily than others on events and markets to earn money. COVID-19 is therefore hitting the sector particularly hard.
Cancellations and postponements of trade fairs, events, and markets are taking their toll on creative professionals. One-person businesses in particular are suffering from the lack of planning security. Report of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy estimates the number of solo self-employed people in the Creative industries in 2018 to 340,000. Each company in the sector employed only 4.66 core workers.
The Federal Association of Creative Germany and the network of public funding institutions for the cultural and creative industries in Germany have surveyed those working in the sector about the economic impact of the Corona crisis.
Creative industries hope for financial support
Nearly one in five respondents expects revenue losses of more than 40 percent this year due to the pandemic. Half anticipate losses of more than 20 percent, and three-quarters fear losses of more than 10 percent.
When considering the results, it's important to consider that the surveys were conducted last week. Since then, the situation has worsened significantly.
Respondents want a whole range of measures to mitigate the economic impact: Compensation payments, loans, deferral of tax payments, and postponement of payments to the artists' social security fund are intended to improve businesses' liquidity. Respondents also want to see solo self-employed individuals included in unemployment insurance for a limited period.
City of Munich advises those affected
To support and advise those affected, the City of Munich’s Cultural and Creative Industries Competence Team has set up a telephone hotline:
