Every sector has been affected adversely by the Covid-19 pandemic, some more than others. One such sector is the art and museum industry for which 2020 has been a singular year with near-crippling impacts in many decades. Most of the art galleries and museums have remained closed during the lockdowns implemented across the world. However, as the restrictions have been lifted in various parts of the world, several art museums are also opening slowly.

Many major events and exhibitions had been delayed and cancelled due to the pandemic. In the USA, Lee Miller, the famous World War II photographer and 1920s fashion model was to be exhibited and a biopic film that documented her life and how she survived the war, was all set to be done at the Farley’s House and Gallery in Muddles Green, England. However, everything was put on hold after the implementation of lockdown restrictions and now it all appears to be a “wasteland of tumbleweed”, as quoted by Lee Miller’s granddaughter Ami Bouhassane.

Additionally, Britain’s uncertain departure from the European Union (EU) is making the officials anxious about hosting art exhibitions and shows. This also creates an unwanted hindrance to the transport of artworks and other goods abroad.

The Farley’s House and Gallery is known to host at least 4 international exhibitions every year, which is loaned by Europe for one-third of its revenue. Apart from this, additional income source is from the visitors and rights relating to the 60,000 negatives which are a part of Miller’s archive collection. With the hope of expanding its exhibits, the gallery had planned to host 7 international exhibitions this year, including one in the USA.

Two of such shows have been decided to take place in Germany, which is said to be one of the most important markets for the artworks, while the other show is set to take place in non-EU Switzerland. The third exhibition will be shown in Europe.

The major challenge ahead is to collect funds for hosting such enormous shows since the visitor’s numbers is not as evidently encouraging as it used to be before the pandemic. A 90% fall in the number of visitors has been recorded by the famous London’s Wallace Collection Museum this year. A 1.5 million pounds fall has been observed in the commercial revenue collected from restaurants, shops, and events, as stated by the director of the Museum, Xavier Bray.

The author is a student member of Amity Centre of Happiness.