THE SMITH CENTER
The Arts and Entertainment Sector, Covid, and What’s Next
By Myron G. Martin, President and CEO, The Smith Center
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bands that entertain us in venues across the rest of our state.
I’ll get to The Smith Center later, but allow me to focus on the many friends and neighbors across our state who could not find work during the pandemic. Think about the number of musicians, for example, who simply could not get a gig. Think about their families. Think about the human beings who play instruments and create amazing music on the Strip - the symphony musicians, the lounge bands, the wedding singers, the studio musicians – not to mention the many artists and
Things are starting to come back, but these musicians are still playing catch up. So, I come to you this month with two requests: First, if you can, please think about giving to one of the funds set up to help struggling musicians, most notably the Composers Showcase which provides financial assistance to the local entertainment community right here in Las Vegas. Secondly, please think twice before asking musicians to donate their time for your event, party or gathering. They are professional musicians who deserve to be paid for their expertise, just like any other professional. Quite simply, it is a slap to their musicianship and their years of training to say that they will get “good exposure” by playing at your event for free. Great musicians don’t need exposure, they need to feed their families. And this applies to others in the performing and creative arts. I urge you to please be part of the solution as we struggle to get back to normal.
he arts and entertainment sector was hit especially hard during the pandemic. Venues across the country were required to close and, unfortunately, some may never reopen. Producers were forced to cancel tours. Agents had to postpone engagements. Ticket sellers, ushers and professional stagehands were laid off. Artists were out of work. It was a terrible time. Fortunately, thanks in large part to the Save Our Stages Act, many venues have been able to reopen, with kudos to our caring congressional delegation.
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