Madam President, as Bermuda and the rest of the world grapples with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly clear that during these times where physical distancing is required to keep our citizenry safe, arts and culture play a key role in bringing us together to help ensure our emotional wellbeing.
However, Madam President, despite the ability of the arts to uplift and inspire us; the individuals who are the creators of these experiences that we all enjoy have also been affected by the pandemic.