The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically impacted the cultural and creative industries around the world. This impact has been especially severe in the tourism-dependent regions of Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2019, Belize received over 500,000 overnight visitors and over 1 million cruise tourism visitors. This high volume of visitors has been an economic driver for the cultural and creative industries in Belize, with cultural activities encompassing almost 30% of tourism-related jobs.

While statistics abound for foreign tourism's impact on these industries, there is no data for local engagement. We simply do not know if or how Belizeans support our local cultural or creative industries.

Limited Avenues for Cultural Expression

With museums, art galleries, houses of culture, archaeological reserves and protected areas, either closed or operating under limited capacities, Belizeans are deprived of spaces and avenues for cultural expression and revenue. Our cultural and environmental protected areas rely on the tourism industry's revenue for upkeep and operational budgets. 

Similarly, community museums, Houses of Cultures and art galleries are also dependent on revenue generated by visitors. Many of our museums and galleries are housed in enclosed spaces that cannot easily accommodate pre-pandemic numbers of visitors, given our current health and safety restrictions.

Covid -19 has also brought the term social distancing into our lives. To prevent community spread, we have had to limit social gatherings, including cultural celebrations, festivals, and performing arts. Whether it is a solemn religious celebration or a vibrant festival, these events have emerged as dynamic spaces where we come together as communities and engage in cultural transmission through music, dance, food, art, and traditional craftsmanship. Overnight, we were suddenly left in a vacuum where we could no longer engage in these forms of cultural and creative expressions. 

Even though we continue to experience these challenges, emerging instances show the resilience of the cultural and creative industries and the essential roles they play in socio-economic recovery.

1. Cultural and Creative Industries are Income Generators

The massive contributions to global revenue streams show that the Cultural and creative industries are essential income generators. World regions are developing independent creative brands, making it one of the most equitable global industries.

2. Digital Influencers in a Digital World

Cultural and creative industries drive the digital economy and digital trends. While the need for remote workspaces has catapulted the growth of platforms like zoom, the cultural and creative industries have contributed to the popularity of platforms like Tik Tok.

3. Young, Inclusive and Entrepreneurial

Cultural and creative industries contribute to youth and women employment and are open to people of all ages and backgrounds.

4. Creating Attractive Urban Areas

Cultural and creative spaces boost the attractiveness of urban spaces. They are a catalyst for urban development and contribute to overall health and mental wellness. The case of Downtown San Ignacio in Cayo, Belize, is an excellent example of urban development. The area became the home of booming cultural and creative businesses in the past years.  

5. Providing a Vast Reservoir of Jobs

Cultural and Creative industries are organized around a largely informal economy with a vast reservoir of jobs. Many artists and artisans have been forced to diversify their products... However, we see people diversifying into creative sectors, including jewellery brands, home decor, personalized cards, crochet art, up-cycling shoes and more.

6. Creating a More Diverse World

The cultural and creative industries foster a more creative and inclusive world. They aid cultural resilience while fueling sustainable development. Artistic and creative expressions enhance cultural continuity and prevent culture to become static history that we only talk about as something that used to be.

Resources: Cultural times. The first global map of cultural and creative industries. UNESCO December, 2015

Written by Sylvia Batty, Heritage Education Network Belize