PSA: THE BIGGER PICTURE
VIABLE JOBS PSA General Manager, Andy Lenthall dissects the ‘viability’ of the live events sector following the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak’s Winter Economy Plan announcement.
Viable jobs. Remember those? Companies formed to make things or provide services took people on to help them achieve their goals. The revenue generated then went towards paying those people; they were called wages, fees, salaries and so on. We had lots of viable jobs; we still do – we just don’t have a viable industry to serve with them and that’s not really our fault. Our generous Chancellor has designed a support system for viable jobs. It’ll work for some, but it certainly isn’t a fix for those employed in a sector that is crawling from remaining project to remaining project, delivering a few positives, days or weeks here and there for our under-engaged freelancer pool. We await news of the support for those businesses and jobs rendered unviable by the close down of our sector. We’ll hear of the success or failure of companies’ applications to the Culture Recovery Fund by 5 October; we’ll also start to get wind of project grants that may well subsidise events that create work, with the fiscal gaps created by social distancing plugged by Arts Council support. We wait, then we comment. While we’re waiting, we don’t sit idle. Stagehand, the original industry welfare and benevolent fund, founded by PSA members over 20 years ago,
recently launched fundraising efforts to create a COVID-19 Crew Relief Fund. Raising £50k within days, the fund was bolstered at the end of September with a £100,000 grant from the PPL Performer Board in a gesture worth more than money alone – a sign that they recognise the need for the music industry to throw a line to those with the greatest need. The trustees were moved; this one got something in his eye. Conversations with management companies have led to further donations as well as fundraising offers that will lead to a fund opening for applications in October. One part of our sector that has already had success is Grassroots Music Venues, given a much-needed emergency fund along with the opportunity to apply for general funding, proving that the money was not only aimed at the ‘high arts’. The Music Venues Trust, the charity that works for those venues, is plotting the growth in activity in the Grassroots sector, encouraging a positive approach to getting their particular sector up and running. Of course, every venue with activity should need at least one person pushing buttons, so there’s a glimmer of hope. The quest for support also continues, with the three key industry groups in the shape of LIVE, Business Visits and Events Partnership 56
