Opinion with Baroness Jane Bonham Carter: Positivity in a time of crisis

What a terrible toll this pandemic has taken, and the creative industries – and the arts and cultural programmes that underpin them – have been among the hardest hit.

Today the future looks slightly less bleak for the sector than it has done. The government listened and financial help has been forthcoming. More recently there has been the very welcome reopening of outdoor performance venues.

And to keep up the positive tone – during lockdown the sector has shown imagination and innovation and found new ways of collaborating and working with communities across the land – streaming performances and exhibitions. I know teachers have been valiantly delivering classes via Zoom, and have benefited from the wealth and variety of what is being streamed, and I hope in so doing have accessed a more diverse and inclusive offer for their students and that this will continue post-COVID. But of course, not everyone has access to the internet or to their own instrument. And more generally, online events are no replacement for the pleasure of actual shared experiences.