Resilience of the Romanian Independent Cultural Sector under COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Grounded Theory
Abstract
:1. Introduction
1.1. Economic Vulnerability of the Independent Cultural-Creative Sector in a Pandemic Context
1.2. Resilience as a Response to the Threat of COVID Economic Disaster
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Research Setting
2.2. The Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM)
- The existing coding typologies are subsequently formulated by Glaser, as substantive coding (with open coding and selective coding) and theoretical coding, the latter conceptualizing the existing relationships between the created codes, through a line-by-line analysis [51,54]. These relationships are nothing but hypotheses. Glaser introduces 18 coding families [53]. More recent studies recommend avoiding the use of theoretical codes and promote the use of in vivo codes, which can be extracted directly from the content analyzed by using CAQDAS (Computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software) [55].
- Another code analysis matrix refers to the existence of 3 categories of codes: open, axial and selective codes [56]. Axial codes are the so-called code families, such as The Six Cs (causes, contexts, contingencies, consequences, conditions) [55,57,58], while selective codes make reference to the main categories of information on which the elaboration of the theory is based [55]. Coding can be performed paragraph-by-paragraph, line-by-line or sentence-by-sentence.
- Charmaz, (2006) insists on the use of two coding stages: initial coding and focused coding, either line-by-line or word-by-word [46].
- Bryant, (2017) advocates for the use of initial and focused codes, and for the last category he provides examples of coding strategies [51];
- Clarke et al., (2015) propose the situational analysis and also take into account different representation techniques (situational maps, social worlds, positional maps) along with coding and code analysis [59].
2.3. Data Collection and Analysis
3. Results
3.1. The Independent Cultural Sector or How Representative Are the Independent Cultural Spaces
3.2. The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Cultural Sector
3.3. Digital Initiatives Targeting the Cultural Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- (a)
- Short-term measures:
- Tax exemption for individuals and legal entities operating in the cultural sector during the pandemic;
- Set up social protection measures for artists and other categories of cultural workers;
- Set up a solidarity fee;
- Establish a legal framework for independent artists. The first initiative in this regard has already been released on 20 March 2020 by the National Institute for Cultural Research and Training, and the first Independent Cultural Register at the national level was created.
- Carry out a diagnostic analysis on the effects of the pandemic to identify optimal solutions for activities to be carried out in creative spaces;
- Adjust the Start-up Nation Program in order for cultural entrepreneurs to become eligible to apply for funding;
- Provide consultancy services for the creative cultural sector;
- Reopen cultural spaces;
- Reallocate available funds to support health care services;
- Digitize cultural activities and products, encourage teleworking and move events or activities online, if suitable.
- (b)
- Medium-term measures:
- Organize project competitions for eligible applicants to apply for funding to secure event production, logistics, payments, etc.;
- Organize mass events;
- Use art to increase public awareness and level of information on the consequences of any crisis;
- Create consortia between the stakeholders involved in cultural sector at the European level to set up collaborative projects.
- (c)
- Long-term measures:
- Create a stable professional environment for cultural workers;
- Create an open-air museum, as a theme park on the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Set up a new, high-tech and more flexible cultural infrastructure;
- Elaborate policies to promote and support cultural resilience.
3.4. Cultural Resilience as Storyline
- Collaborative relationship between the cultural sector and the civil society, beneficiary or not of some cultural actions, through community support actions, namely volunteering, donations, moral support, solidarity and civic participation;
- Supportive relationship between the civil society and the decision-makers, for delivering information and raise awareness on the appropriate social behavior to respect social distance and receptivity to population needs by taking measures to increase the safety of citizens;
- Interdependent relationship between the cultural sector and the authorities, on the one hand by ensuring a stable economic environment (financial support, fiscal policies) and, on the other hand, by involving artists, regardless of their nature, in the decision-making process and implementation of public policies.
4. Discussion
- (a)
- Proposal for a public policy on the digitization of national cultural resources and the creation of the Digital Library of Romania;
- (b)
- Proposal for a public policy on increasing the life quality in rural and small urban areas from the perspective of cultural services;
- (c)
- Public policy proposal on redefining the status of performance or concert institutions and defining the status of performance or concert companies on the background of clarifying their organization and operation, as well as the activity of artistic entrepreneurship.
- (a)
- The granting of a package of measures launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Culture, to support the resumption of activities in the independent cultural sector (de minimis aid schemes for independent artists, allowances/technical unemployment for all cultural workers or micro-grants for cultural entities);
- (b)
- The launch, in 2022, by the Ministry of Culture of the Emergency Cultural Program regarding the request for an annual non-reimbursable financial support for the cultural projects/actions carried out. Among the eligibility criteria is the involvement of the independent cultural environment in the project.
- (c)
- The proposal of a de minimis aid scheme by the Ministry of Culture (document under public debate) which has in view grants for 5000 cultural operators (NGOs and cultural enterprises) and who had restricted activity during the state of emergency/alert;
- (d)
- Punctual initiatives to encourage cultural entrepreneurship were proposed at local level, by local authorities or other cultural entities (three editions of the Culturepreneurs program, launched in Cluj-Napoca by Cluj Cultural Center, non-reimbursable funding from the local budget for projects and cultural actions granted by the municipalities of Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara, through the Project Center).
5. Conclusions
Study Limitations
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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City | Cluj-Napoca | Timișoara | Marginal Row Totals | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Space Category | No. | % | No. | % | No. | % |
Community space | 53 | 62.40 | 18 | 43.90 | 71 | 56.35 |
Maker space | 15 | 17.60 | 6 | 14.60 | 21 | 16.67 |
Coworking space | 8 | 9.40 | 1 | 2.40 | 9 | 7.14 |
Accelerator business | 2 | 2.40 | 4 | 9.80 | 6 | 4.76 |
Innovation hub | 3 | 3.50 | 1 | 2.40 | 4 | 3.17 |
Incubator | 0 | 0.00 | 2 | 4.90 | 2 | 1.59 |
Festival space | 4 | 4.70 | 2 | 4.90 | 6 | 4.76 |
Event Space | 0 | 0.00 | 7 | 17.10 | 7 | 5.56 |
Marginal Column Totals | 85 | 100.00 | 41 | 100.00 | 126 | 100.00 |
Space Category | Cluj-Napoca | Timișoara | Marginal Row Totals |
---|---|---|---|
Community space | 0.42 | 0.14 | 0.56 |
Maker space | 0.12 | 0.05 | 0.17 |
Coworking space | 0.06 | 0.01 | 0.07 |
Accelerator business | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.05 |
Innovation hub | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.03 |
Incubator | 0 | 0.02 | 0.02 |
Festival space | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.05 |
Event Space | 0 | 0.06 | 0.06 |
Marginal Column Totals | 0.67 | 0.33 | 1 |
Codes | Groundedness | Density | Relevant Arguments |
---|---|---|---|
COVID-19 crisis | 72 | 1 | “The COVID-19 pandemic affects both independent artists (musicians, directors, actors, sound engineers, DJs, dancers, comedians, graphic artists, translators, proofreaders, illustrators, etc.) and the people behind the scenes (managers, PRs, producers, marketing, etc.)-most of them being freelancers.” (PD4–Public document); “We will also be releasing a series of policy briefs on a range of subjects in the context of the COVID-19 crisis: on vaccines, taxes, education, SMEs, etc.” (PD6); “The coronavirus has affected all countries in Europe, and it is already evident that the cultural sector is and will be heavily impacted.” (PD7); “Between 19 and 23 of March 2020, more than 130 NGOs reported problems they had already identified as associated with the emergence of COVID-19.” (PD12); “The context created by the COVID-19 pandemic makes us turn our attention and care back to the medical system, embarking on a hunt for measures to help.” (PD18); “All participants are contributing toward stopping the spread of coronavirus, and together we help save lives, protect resources and care for each other.” (PD20); “As decision-makers reflect on how to address the crisis, culture must be recognized as a priority sector.” (PD27) |
Challenges | 38 | 11 | “There are also several thousand people for whom this means the loss of income over an unpredictable period, and if the situation extends beyond March, independent artists will not be able to provide basic subsistence, pay rents, taxes and fees, bank loans...” (PD4); “Today, there are thousands of professionals in the Romanian cultural sector whose present and future are called into question by the pandemic we face.” (PD5); “Compounding a global health crisis with a major economic and financial crisis will put large strains on our societies.” (PD6); “All things considered, we can easily attest that revenues in the entire industry have collapsed, the economic impact being comparable to that of the HORECA industry.” (PD9) “We are going through an extraordinary period of crisis, but art and creativity can make our journey easier.” (PD16) |
Closure of cultural spaces | 15 | 1 | “Given the global situation caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the impact this epidemic has had in all areas, independent artists, are some of the most affected professional groups in this period of crisis, with no indefinite employment contracts, and who, with the closure of theaters, of locations intended for specific events, are left without sources of income and any social protection.” (PD4) |
Suspension of projects | 1 | 1 | “Thus, the main problems faced by non-governmental organizations in Romania as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic relate to the suspension / cessation of projects, programs or activities (71% of respondents).” (PB12); “Moreover, currently, the reunion of individuals in groups of more than 50 people in closed spaces is prohibited. [...] Also, the activity of theaters and cinemas is suspended, thus, actors and other people involved in this activity being unable to perform.” (PD9); “These times are not normal, though. In the COVID-19 crisis, suddenly almost all concerts, exhibitions and cultural jobs were cancelled, seriously threatening the existence of most artists, authors and performers-and the richness and diversity of our European culture.” (PD23); “The Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS) all over Europe are hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Live events and performances had to be cancelled, while most cultural venues were forced to close their doors.” (PD23) |
Loss of a stable remuneration and income | 9 | 1 | “Whether employed or freelance, workers in the cultural and creative sectors, who are often in an already precarious situation, are facing a sudden and dramatic loss of income.” (PD7) |
Lack of health assurance | 6 | 1 | “Secondly, we are independent contractors and we do not have any social benefits.” (PD5) |
Deferred payment | 6 | 1 | “We ask you to support us until the end of this crisis by the deferment of debt payments to the state and other financial institutions during the pandemic of COVID-19; also, based on supporting documents, we ask for financial assistance guaranteed by the state to provide basic subsistence.” (DP4) “Similar to the facilities provided to the SMEs, regulated by the Government Emergency Ordinance 29/2020, it is also necessary for NGOs to be able to defer payments for utilities […] and rent for the buildings used as headquarters and secondary offices, throughout the state of emergency.” (PD12) |
Collapse of confidence | 1 | 1 | “The pandemic brings with it the third and greatest economic, financial and social shock of the 21st Century, after 9/11 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. This shock brings a double whammy: a halt in production in affected countries, hitting supply chains across the world, and a steep drop in consumption together with a collapse in confidence.” (PD6) |
Health crisis | 13 | 1 | “The coronavirus pandemic is causing large-scale loss of life and severe human suffering. It is a public health crisis without precedent in living memory, which is testing our collective capacity to respond.” (PD6); “We are facing a serious health crisis that not only has cost the livelihood of millions, but also has a severe impact on the sustainability of many sectors of the economy, and especially the Cultural and Creative Industries all around Europe.” (PD34) |
Job crisis | 6 | 1 | “Given the global situation caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the impact this epidemic has had in all areas, independent artists are some of the most affected professional groups in this period of crisis with no indefinite employment contracts, and who, with the closure of theaters, of locations intended for specific events, are left without sources of income and any social protection.” (PD4) “Even after the worst of the health crisis has passed, people will be confronted with the jobs crisis that will ensure.” (PD6); “Another important vulnerability are the gaps in income, wealth and job stability in many countries, which threaten a large part of our populations.” (PD6); “In sectors characterized by self-employment, freelancing and job flexibility, combined with little or no access to social benefits, the loss of income poses a direct and immediate threat to the existence of authors, performers and all cultural operators, many of which had already been struggling well before the current emergency.” (PD23) |
Lack of worker union | 1 | 1 | “First of all, we are not members of any union, and we are not represented by anyone.” (PD5) |
Lump-sum | 1 | 1 | “Granting lump sums for a period of 3–6 months for freelancers, LLCs and independent artists found in difficulty.” (PD2) |
Codes | Groundedness | Density | Relevant Arguments |
---|---|---|---|
Community support | 82 | 0 | “Let’s support together those who make every effort in these difficult times.” (PD3); “We ask for the help of anyone who can do something, right away, for the survival of culture in times of crisis.” (PD5); “Cool heads, individual and collective discipline, a heightened sense of solidarity and a shared sense of purpose will allow us to overcome these unexpected and challenging circumstances.” (PD6); “We stand in solidarity with every person and organization that are affected by the virus not only in Europe but also elsewhere in the world, and by the measures taken to contain it.” (PD7); “Through responsible actions, we can together overcome this intense moment of crisis with minimal losses.” (PD13); “We need you to understand the world and deliver the messages of this moment: responsibility, solidarity, empathy.” (PD16); “Any donation means solidarity. Any change occurs when people unite in a common cause.” (PD18); “All participants are contributing toward stopping the spread of coronavirus, and together we help save lives, protect resources and care for each other.” (PD20); “We are One Cluj. We help and work together.” (PD21); “In these times of despair, we as a society must stand together and support those who need our help the most. And we have to do so now!” (PD23) |
Co-coordinated actions | 23 | 0 | “Only with immediate, large-scale and coordinated actions will the economy be ready for a quick and vigorous restart.” (PD6); “Multilateral action creates positive spillovers that will be more effective for each country than if they acted alone.” (PD6); “Any donation means solidarity. Any change occurs when people unite in a common cause.” (PD18); |
Financial support | 83 | 8 | “Together we paid the rents of independent actors.” (PD1); “If this situation lasts beyond March 31, we will find ourselves need of financial help from the state.” (PD4) |
Donations | 23 | 1 | “The integrity and usefulness of NGO’s actions are visible these days through the extraordinary reaction of people and companies who donate, volunteer and innovate to support vulnerable groups.” (PD12); “We aim to identify and transfer donations to those entities that use resources most efficiently.” (PD13); “Any donation means solidarity. Any change occurs when people unite in a common cause.” (PD18); |
Fiscal measures | 33 | 1 | “We need legal-financial measures: to extend the coverage of sick leave and the possibility to benefit from unemployment financial assistance.” (PD4); “Having these, we ask the state and other decision-makers involved to establish an emergency fund for culture, similar to the model of CNL (Centre national du livre) in France.” (PD5); “Granting tax facilities to NGOs with economic activity regarding the deduction in the calculation of corporate income tax of certain categories of expenses.” (PD12); “Implement fiscal measures to relieve the pressure on the CCS (Cultural and Creative Sector) and stimulate a recovery in the consumption of cultural services.” (PD23) |
Loans | 2 | 1 | “Granting loans for technologization, with interests entirely subsidized by the state (100%).” (PD9) |
Modified VAT | 1 | 0 | “We would propose VAT to be due the moment the event takes place, and the payment deadline to be on the 25th of the following month or in the quarter when the event took place.” (PD32) |
Non-payment of utilities | 2 | 1 | “Tax facilities (deferments and reductions) for the payment of taxes, duties and even utilities are the second most useful measure.” (PD12) |
Project budget | 12 | 1 | “A range of different possibilities should be open to cultural organizations benefiting from Creative Europe funding in order to provide the appropriate support and allow for fitting responses in the case of each organization’s circumstances.” (PD7); “Consider a temporary change of the Start-Up Nation program into a support scheme that would include NGOs as eligible beneficiaries, as well.” (PD12) |
Rents | 4 | 1 | “99 percent of cultural creators—i.e., artists, authors, performers—don’t get rich from what they do. In fact, most of them can hardly make a living from creating what we all love so much and enjoy every day. Many even struggle to pay their rent. And this is their situation in normal times!” (PD23) |
Sponsorships | 2 | 1 | // |
Vouchers | 4 | 1 | “Buy a solidarity ticket, promote this link and challenge 3 people to do the same. Thus, together we will buy the 10 ventilators, which, after this pandemic, will remain in hospitals to serve other patients in the long term.” (PD25) |
To adopt an artist status | 6 | 1 | // |
To analyze pandemic impact | 3 | 1 | “The most urgent priority is to minimize the loss of life and health.” (PD6) |
To create an emergency financial support | 17 | 1 | “We ask the state and other decision-makers involved to establish an emergency fund for culture, similar to the model of CNL in France.” (PD5); “Right from the start, the movement of “Artists Together” engages the Romanian artists in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, this movement will serve other important collective causes for the Romanian society and also aims to set up an emergency fund for artists.” (PD16); “Provide emergency aid to cultural professionals, especially the independent ones.” (PD23) |
To create an open museum but also interactive art installations | 2 | 1 | “We want to build together the first open-air museum to remind us of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the heroes of this period-District 21.” (PD22) |
To create jobs | 2 | 1 | “We need to create decent jobs that help achieve a fair transition for workers and communities.” (PD29) |
To create new cultural infrastructures | 3 | 1 | “but we are also looking at long-term solutions for cultural infrastructure.” (PD32) |
To develop new projects | 11 | 1 | “We are looking for project partners for new calls.” (PD16); “We all need to find solutions and adapt to new conditions, to develop grants, new projects, to design online platforms and reinvent ourselves.” (PD32) |
To eliminate all penalities during the pandemic outbreak | 3 | 1 | “Tax payment deferment, for a period of at least 90 days, both for legal entities and for individuals.” (PD9) |
To encourage measures of social protection | 18 | 1 | “Set up a program whereby all workers in the independent cultural sector who do not have social benefits to be granted health insurance at least until December 31, 2020.” (PD2); “Ensure access to unemployment and other social benefits for all cultural professionals, with particular attention to freelancers, self-employed and others in atypical forms of work, including creators coming from cultural minorities, and grant them compensation for the discontinuation of income.” (PD23) |
To encourage remote work and find other eligible formats for events | 11 | 1 | “This year, the Ministry of Culture launches the ACCES program, entitled ACCES Online 2020 and invites independent cultural operators to submit project proposals to be carried out exclusively online and be related to the following domains: theater, music, dance, visual arts, intangible heritage.” (PD17) |
To extend the eligibility period for cultural projects | 1 | 1 | “For events that cannot take place within the originally foreseen eligibility period of a project or framework year: → Extend the eligibility period for projects and framework contracts with accordingly postponed project reporting deadlines.” (PD7) |
To extend the Start-Up Nation program | 1 | 1 | “Consider the temporary change of the Start-Up Nation program into a support scheme that would include NGOs, as eligible beneficiaries.” (PD12) |
To gather in one place all initiatives related to cultural activities | 1 | 1 | “We want to gather in one place all initiatives/ information related to the cultural and creative sectors in the EU in response to the COVID crisis.” (PD34) |
To guide and support actions | 6 | 1 | // |
To launch a platform | 8 | 1 | “Today, as part of the OECD’s response to this crisis, we are launching a platform that will provide timely and comprehensive information on policy responses in countries around the world, together with OECD advice, in some cases.” (PD6); “Following a virtual meeting of EU Ministers of Culture held on 8 April 2020 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, Commissioner Gabriel proposed the launching of a platform for the cultural sector to share information and good practices between themselves. This is how Creatives Unite was born.” (PD38) |
To mitigate the economic downturn of our society | 3 | 1 | “Beyond the immediate health policy response, the world needs decisive and ambitious actions to mitigate the economic downturn and protect the most vulnerable.” (PD6) |
To monitor events | 1 | 1 | “We are closely monitoring events and will be updating our analysis regularly.” (PD6) |
To open the museums and the libraries | 3 | 1 | // |
To organize events with more than 50 participants | 3 | 1 | “after which, at a later stage, an increasing number of individuals will be allowed to participate at indoor events (50, 100, 300 participants).” (PD32) |
To support the artistis and their families | 7 | 1 | “Open Letter to the EU Commission and the Member States, demanding support for the Cultural and Creative Sectors, particularly cultural creators, affected by the COVID-19 crisis.” (PD23) |
To restore confidence | 1 | 1 | “Everything must be done to restore confidence.” (PD6) |
To reallocate some funds | 12 | 1 | “In short, we propose the increase of logistics and the production of more equipment needed in the fight against the virus.” (PD19) |
To raise the population awareness through art | 9 | 1 | “Bring your own magic to these key messages-a creative twist, a cultural quirk, an interpretation which helps amplify them to audiences not yet reached.” (PD20) |
To propose new policy approaches | 32 | 1 | “the longer-term need for new policy approaches to repair the damage and ensure that we are better prepared for future shocks.” (PD6); “Governments should advance joint policies, rather than taking them in an uncoordinated way.” (PD6) |
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Marian-Potra, A.-C.; Pop, A.-M.; Hognogi, G.-G.; Nagy, J.A. Resilience of the Romanian Independent Cultural Sector under COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Grounded Theory. Sustainability 2022, 14, 4564. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084564
Marian-Potra A-C, Pop A-M, Hognogi G-G, Nagy JA. Resilience of the Romanian Independent Cultural Sector under COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Grounded Theory. Sustainability. 2022; 14(8):4564. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084564
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarian-Potra, Alexandra-Camelia, Ana-Maria Pop, Gheorghe-Gavrilă Hognogi, and Júlia A. Nagy. 2022. "Resilience of the Romanian Independent Cultural Sector under COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Grounded Theory" Sustainability 14, no. 8: 4564. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084564