COVID-19 – A Time For Support

Dear Members and Friends of AAPPAC,

We hope you, your team and your loved ones are well.

We are facing an unprecedented crisis. As the battle to fight and contain COVID-19 worldwide continues, many of us and those we know in the Performing Arts community have in varying degrees taken a devastating blow. Cancellations of performances and venues have left thousands of people working in the arts, particularly freelance artists, technicians and crew, stranded without jobs and income now and for the months ahead. For many performing arts centres, we have also had to grapple with the evolving situation and learn quickly how to effectively implement many precautionary measures for the health and safety of our staff, artists and patrons that visit our centres.

In this quarter’s newsletter, you’ll find various programme highlights for the season, many of which may no longer be taking place. We encourage you to contact the organisers or venues directly for information if you’re interested. We have also had to make the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 AAPPAC Conference in Taipei initially scheduled for June, to 28 – 30 September this year. Together with our host Taipei Performing Arts Centre (TPAC), we are closely monitoring the evolving situation and remain hopeful that we can convene our annual meeting. We will keep our members duly informed of its status.

As Governments all over scramble to save lives, protect jobs and livelihoods, we need the arts more than ever to inspire, connect and uplift spirits. Performing arts venues and artists are finding new means to bring performances to their communities from virtual screenings of shows via online streaming platforms to mini solo concerts by quarantined artists streamed directly from their own homes.

For our own member centres, many of us have had to close our physical doors from the public but that did not stop us from rolling out new initiatives to continue our work to connect artists to their audiences. In Singapore, Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay has ramped up on the production of digital content published on Offstage, the centre’s dedicated site for Singapore and Asian arts & culture. A few weeks ago, an Organ Promenade Concert performed by Ms. Maki Tomita was live streamed from Suntory Hall in Japan. In Australia, a new digital program of weekly live recordings, never-before-seen footage, as well as podcasts, articles, videos and more was recently launched by Sydney Opera House. These avenues have enabled us to remain close and support each other in this time of self-isolation and social distancing. We encourage all members to connect with us during this period to let us know what initiatives and measures you have put in place at your own centres so that we can learn from each other and take comfort in knowing that we can rise above this trying time together.

Reach Out, Stay Connected, Be Hopeful. If we can help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact us. We hope to see everyone in September or sooner, whether in person or digitally.

In the meanwhile, stay safe and healthy and our well wishes are with you, your team and your loved ones!

Rachelle & Jacklyn
AAPPAC Secretariat