DJs and dancers discuss how the UK Government have treated them during COVID-19

As the art sector continues to struggle under the pandemic DJ's like Alexandra Hearth and dance teachers such as Karen Yates speak to Megan Smith about how the government have treated them.

"DJ Equipment" by Luke The Look is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Alexandra, the creator of the 'Hot Girls' podcast, has been Djing for roughly five years. She believes that the arts 'liberate us.'

"I think we understand humans through art, and we get to have fun through creativity, and those things are so fundamental to life."

The DJ believes that there is a bigger problem within the government about what classes as the arts. They put more focus on the theatre and galleries and don't realise that club culture or nightlife is also the arts.

No known support

No specific support or plan has been put in place to support DJs. Therefore Alexandra is unaware of what sort of assistance she and others can receive.

However, she showed concern for the mental health of other DJ's she had spoken to. They had found purpose through DJing because of the crowds.

Due to the current UK Government rules in place DJ's cannot perform to physical crowds.

Careers which need crowds have felt unmotivated by this as they are currently unaware how long this will be for.

"I think people feel like they are being robbed of the thing that makes them, them."

Not just DJs but dancers too

Lucy White, the company director of the Elite Dance Company, believes that the arts need more support in order to 'stay alive.'

Lucy said that if the arts weren't supported then the fun of entertainment would slowly disappear.

"[it would encourage] more people to stay indoors and not have a hobby."

"Mariam Turkmenbaieva' masterclass at Cherkassy Dance Center" by be creator is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Self-employed dance and performing arts teacher Karen Yates believe the arts need more financial help. She believes this should be handled by someone that has experience in the arts.

Many companies in the arts are still losing money due to being unable to open. This has left the public to fear that the arts will soon disappear from the UK.

Karen cannot imagine this sort of future for the UK. She believes that when we return back to normality the arts will thrive and return with new talent.

"I have danced all my life and can't even imagine a world without the theatre and the arts. There'll be lots of wasted talent around and lots of wasted opportunities."

Originally published on Birmingham Eastside training site