Early results from a national survey by I Lost My Gig Canada suggests the coronavirus pandemic has cost Canadian creative producers an average of $25,000 each in lost income.
I Lost My Gig Canada is described as a space for creative industries and other vulnerable freelance and gig economy workers to connect and share stories in response to COVID-19 pandemic and growing income precarity in Canada.
The interim findings, characterized as "cautious, preliminary results" are based on responses from gig workers from arts, culture, heritage, tourism and other creative industries in Canada in April and May
Almost 800 gig workers responded to the survey, saying they had lost an average of 36 gigs each due to postponements and cancellations. Almost all were stressed about their income, at times to the point of losing sleep over their worries.
Some 70 per cent of respondents are self-employed, and about the same proportion are women. About 40 per cent earned less than $20,000 a year from arts and culture activities. Their average income was just over $30,000.
Visual artists fared somewhat better than musicians, actors and other types of creative producers, losing an average of 15 gigs worth $17,300.
The survey remains open until February and results will be updated on an ongoing basis at ILostMyGig.ca.
Source: ILostMYGig.ca