Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
(Conducted May 7–10, 2020)
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
METHODOLOGYMAIN DATA COLLECTION SAMPLEOnline recruitment. All original respondents were subscribers to VegasAuditions.com, the online trade paper for professional entertainers in Las Vegas. Additional respondents were professional performers or related business stakeholders who live/work in the industry in Las Vegas.
SAMPLE SIZE200 pre-qualified respondents from an initial sampling pool of 1,000+ subscribers.
PRE-QUALIFICATIONAll respondents must be living in Las Vegas and/or working in the Las Vegas entertainment industry.Q2 Is your primary role...*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
"On-Stage" Performer 147
Behind-the-Scenes 15
Support Service 4
Related Business 25
Q2 Is your primary role...*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
"On-Stage" Performer 147
Behind-the-Scenes 15
Support Service 4
Related Business 25
What is your primary role?
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The economic impact from COVID-19 to the United States economy will be felt for several years, but the overall effects from this pandemic won’t be fully appreciated for an even longer period. Las Vegas, Nevada is being hit especially hard due to the transient nature of its travel and tourism based economy with heavy reliance on domestic and international visitors. The trickle-down impact of closing of the city, hotels, and showrooms is devastating to the individual performing artists and their ability to make a living for their families. This survey was created to understand the impact of the closures on the entertainers and related businesses that provide visitors with the “only-in-vegas” experience for which Las Vegas is known.
The CARES Act economic stimulus package provides the opportunity for independent contractors to apply for unemployment assistance through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. This process has not been attainable by many due to technical application issues and processing delays. As of May 10th, 62% of respondents have filed for unemployment benefits, but only 35% have received benefits. The remaining 38% are waiting for the PUA program - specifically designed for independent contractors - to come online.
More than 60% of respondents are 1099 independent contractors. They don’t benefit from the payroll protections that W2 employees earn. In fact, 82% do not enjoy employer-paid health benefits. And nearly 40% percent did not secure their own health insurance.*
Most alarming is the emotional toll this has taken on the entertainment industry as a whole. Job sentiment and the outlook for the future are bleak. On average, respondents ranked their level of optimism regarding the future of their job at 3 out of 10. Even less positive, was a 2.5 out of 10 outlook on the entertainment industry in Las Vegas for the next six months. Most performers and artists specifically choose to move to Las Vegas to fulfill their dreams to perform in the largest, most exciting venues in the world. Even though their optimism today is low for the industry, their love for Las Vegas remains strong. 90% of respondents hope to continue their jobs when shows and events come back online, and 93% hope to stay in Las Vegas. It’s encouraging to see that the majority of respondents sincerely want to continue careers in the entertainment industry. And for those who are considering retiring or leaving the industry, 74% are prepared with a skillset outside of their current role.
The performing arts industry will be one of the last to fully recover from this pandemic. Uncertainty remains as to when showrooms will be ready to re-open, how operations will be modified, and when audiences will feel secure enough to attend a live performance. Show producers will have to scale back productions, reduce budgets, decrease the number of cast members and behind-the-scenes technicians, and facilitate less seating capacity due to social-distancing guidelines. Because of this, even when shows begin to re-open, many performers will still be out of a job. The majority of respondents will lose an average of $500-$1,000 of income per week.
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
It is clear that current economic stimulus programs were not developed with the long-term needs of the performing arts industry in mind. Specifically, the PPP program provides small businesses—which includes many local theater companies and show producers—8 weeks of payroll support. Considering the closures of shows and events could last for more than 6–12 months to full recovery, there is a severe shortfall in financial support for our industry. Local legislatures will need to work in conjunction with federal lawmakers to pass expanded programs to support the performing arts industry.
Performance artists are unique, just as Las Vegas is unique. The rules and general operating procedures for both the industry and the city are therefore uniquely different, and therefore deserve a more customized and flexible approach to achieve an economic comeback.
Alex Karvounis, co-founder and [email protected]
Nick Karvounis, co-founder and [email protected]
VegasAuditions.com7251 W. Lake Mead Blvd, Suite 300Las Vegas, NV 89128
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
I was previously employed in...
Q21 During the shutdown, I am losing approximately $X in income PER WEEK.
(OPTIONAL)
Answered: 160 Unanswered: 39 Average Rating: 2 - $500 - $1000
Choice Total Rating
1 - 0 - $500 33 33
2 - $500 - $1000 62 124
3 - $1000 - $2000 45 135
4 - $2000 + 20 80
Q21 During the shutdown, I am losing approximately $X in income PER WEEK.
(OPTIONAL)
Answered: 160 Unanswered: 39 Average Rating: 2 - $500 - $1000
Choice Total Rating
1 - 0 - $500 33 33
2 - $500 - $1000 62 124
3 - $1000 - $2000 45 135
4 - $2000 + 20 80
During the shutdown I am losing ____ of money per week.
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
Q4 Are you currently UNEMPLOYED due to the Coronavirus closures?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 186
No 5
Q4 Are you currently UNEMPLOYED due to the Coronavirus closures?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 186
No 5
Are you currently UNEMPLOYED due to the coronavirus closures?
What is your employment status type? (respondents can select both)
Q7 What was your employment status type?*(OK to choose both, if applicable)
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
W2 employee 99
1099 independent contractor 152
Q7 What was your employment status type?*(OK to choose both, if applicable)
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
W2 employee 99
1099 independent contractor 152
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
Q8 Have you already filed for unemployment benefits?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 120
No 71
Q8 Have you already filed for unemployment benefits?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 120
No 71
Have you filed for unemployment benefits?
Have you RECEIVED your unemployment benefits? (as of May 10, 2020)
Q9 Have you RECEIVED your unemployment benefits yet?*(as of May 6, 2020)
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 66
No 125
Q9 Have you RECEIVED your unemployment benefits yet?*(as of May 6, 2020)
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 66
No 125
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
Q10 Do you have employer-paid health insurance?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 35
No 156
Q10 Do you have employer-paid health insurance?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 35
No 156
Do you have employer-paid health benefits?
Do you have your own health insurance?
Q11 Do you have your own health insurance?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 115
No 76
Q11 Do you have your own health insurance?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 115
No 76
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
Q13 How would you rank your level of optimism in the next 6 months?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Score Average
Your Job Outlook 586 3.07
The Vegas Entertainment Industry Outlook 482 2.52
How would you rate your level of optimism for the next six months?
3.07 average rating
2.53 average rating
When the city re-opens and shows/events begin to operate again, I plan to return to my previous job...
Q14 When the city re-opens and shows/events begin to operate again, I plan to return to my previous job...*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 172
No 19
Q14 When the city re-opens and shows/events begin to operate again, I plan to return to my previous job...*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 172
No 19
Very OptomisticBleek
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
Q17 Do you plan to stay in Las Vegas?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes - plan to stay in Las Vegas 178
No - looking to leave town. 13
Q17 Do you plan to stay in Las Vegas?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes - plan to stay in Las Vegas 178
No - looking to leave town. 13
Do you plan to stay in Las Vegas?
Q12 Have you booked any virtual gigs?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 23
No 168
Q12 Have you booked any virtual gigs?*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 23
No 168
Have you booked any virtual gigs?
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
Q15 I do not plan to return to entertainment; rather, I plan to look for work in other industries...*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Agree 28
Disagree 163
Q15 I do not plan to return to entertainment; rather, I plan to look for work in other industries...*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Agree 28
Disagree 163
I do not plan to return to entertainment; rather, I plan to look for work in other industries...
I have other skills aside from my ‘artist’ skills...
Q16 I have other skills aside from my "artist" skills...*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 142
No 49
Q16 I have other skills aside from my "artist" skills...*
Answered: 191 Unanswered: 8
Choice Total
Yes 142
No 49
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
Respondent Comments
The Unemployment system for gig workers and independent contractors has been very slow to roll out. I tried to apply early on, but was kicked out of the system. I am also a real estate agent. I have participated in several Town Halls, to learn as much as I can about how to work within the new relief systems. I am hoping that the independent contrac-tors will be able to apply for Unemployment due to Covid-19, in the next week or so? This is a long time to wait for help.
This entire shutdown was unnecessary. The people who will die or starve far outnumbers those who would actually die from the virus.
One of the gigs I was part of, has been shut-down and never intends to re-open. So some work is just gone forever.
When I walk through the grocery store, I can tell who’s still employed and who’s not. You know how? Because people who still have jobs, don’t wear masks. They don’t wear gloves. They squeeze past you in the aisle when It’s COMPLETELY UNNEC-ESSARY. I know this because a handful of people have still invited me over for dinner, or to have drinks, as if everything is normal. It frustrates me be-cause I worry that the lawmakers are treating things the same way from the comfort of their own homes. The rest of us, who are scrambling for ways to make money online (because Unemployment offices have been a NIGHTMARE), are taking precautions seri-ously in order to get our jobs back asap! So I hope something comes of this survey and we get some kind of government relief that isn’t such an incredi-ble hassle to apply for. And we want the reopenings to be taken seriously as well! Fingers crossed.
The PPP loan for my agency has been worse for me because my part-time paycheck is $500 less than what I was receiving on unemployment (with the government bonus)
The new live event capacity should be a maximum of 250 guests per show. Small venues only.
The arts are so much a part of Vegas. Let’s try to keep them alive.
Thank you for doing this for the entertainment com-munity in Las Vegas
Please send across any links for funds to help during this or to learn skills for free
Please help
Not being able to get unemployment almost 2 months after losing all of my jobs has been extreme-ly stressful and none of my employers have reached out to try and help or let us know what they plan on doing once we get back to work. Everything has been up in the air and there seems to be no answers in sight. It has been a very frustrating situation for a lot of performers and we are a group of people that don’t get recognition during this crisis.
Nevada has been horrible implementing the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, in fact they haven’t at all for gig and 1099 workers. It’s unfair to this huge population of artists and gig workers. Corporate World gets to continue on, while we suffer with the small businesses.
My job relies on the ability to book talent and shows. Without this ability I do not have a job.
Las Vegas Performing ArtistCOVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY
VEGAS.COMAUDITIONS The Professional
Entertainer’s Resource
May 2020
My biggest concern is when the Strip plans on re-opening, and what opportunities will lie ahead? With no work and many performers, I’m afraid I will not find work for a while...and this will be the reason I have to move if things don’t change in the next few months. Scary times…
It’s financially a tough time but we will get through this together.
If the Nevada state unemployment office does not does not fix the private contractor problem after attempting to file for 7 weeks now, I will not be able to honor the lock down and must seek work in other fields even though I am a very high risk because of my health and age.
I will look for work in other areas besides entertain-ment if I can find something with similar hours and pay.
I think the entertainment community whether it be shows, gigs, events, etc will not be back until at least 2021. Maybe a virtual gig here and there.... perhaps something solo will book in fall, maybe if they figure out seating in showrooms they will run at a third of occupancy in fall but I am really not hopeful. Several issues affecting this... tourism, travel, people having money to spend, consumer confidence, and the fact that entertainment is always the icing on the cake so not needed to send money on by anyone especially hotels. I have a negative outlook on this unfortunate-ly.
I received one unemployment check and nothing else
I NEED Gigs... I Really Need Them…
I just wish that Entertainment was understood more especially in a city that thrives on Entertainment and Hospitality. More respect for the industry would be so great…
I hope to stay in Vegas. But I may have to get a job in another field. At least temporarily.
I do rideshare on the side and it’s still not enough
I believe this was an attack on the economic balance of power with China and another attempt to harm our President.
I am still waiting for the PUA. They are saying mid-May but nobody seems to really care. I ran out of money.
How did so many idiots get elected into office??
Hoping we can find a way to still hold performances, shows and conventions in a way that is safe during this time. We will need to think differently and adapt to new ways of doing this but I believe it can be done at least on some level.
Hope to get back to shows soon, but we need to make sure its safe for performers and audiences who come to be entertained
Help!!!
