13 Percent of World's Museums May Not Reopen after Pandemic
2020-05-27
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1Two studies show that museums are another part of the world economy that has been greatly weakened by the coronavirus pandemic.
2The studies report that 90 percent of museums worldwide have been forced to close and stop in-person operations during the crisis.
3Of more than 85,000 closed museums, an estimated 13 percent are at risk of never reopening again because of heavy financial losses.
4The studies were carried out by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
5The two studies sought to understand the full effects of COVID-19 on museums worldwide.
6The research also looked at changes cultural organizations have made to survive the pandemic.
7UNESCO and ICOM say they will use this information to find ways to support institutions after life returns closer to normal.
8The studies found that only 5 percent of the museums in Africa and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were able to offer online materials to their visitors.
9Even museums with online offerings will face a major decrease in earnings if they are not able to welcome visitors in person.
10This reduces their ability to support their employees and continue operations and public outreach.
11UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement that museums play a part in the "resilience of societies. We must help them cope with this crisis and keep them in touch with their audiences."
12Azoulay noted that the pandemic has brought attention to the fact that half of the world's population lacks access to digital technologies.
13"We must work to promote access to culture for everyone," she said.
14In the United States, the American Alliance of Museums estimates museums are losing $33 million a day.
15Another estimate shows nonprofit arts and cultural organizations across the U.S. had lost more than $5.5 billion by mid-May.
16That number comes from a study by Americans for the Arts.
17This month, UNESCO plans to begin discussions among international professionals about how to deal with the problems facing museums.
18The talks are part of its ResiliArt movement, which was first established to support artists affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
19The first three events will center around the situation in Central and South America.
20I'm Ashley Thompson.
1Two studies show that museums are another part of the world economy that has been greatly weakened by the coronavirus pandemic. 2The studies report that 90 percent of museums worldwide have been forced to close and stop in-person operations during the crisis. Of more than 85,000 closed museums, an estimated 13 percent are at risk of never reopening again because of heavy financial losses. 3The studies were carried out by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 4The two studies sought to understand the full effects of COVID-19 on museums worldwide. The research also looked at changes cultural organizations have made to survive the pandemic. 5UNESCO and ICOM say they will use this information to find ways to support institutions after life returns closer to normal. 6The studies found that only 5 percent of the museums in Africa and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were able to offer online materials to their visitors. 7Even museums with online offerings will face a major decrease in earnings if they are not able to welcome visitors in person. This reduces their ability to support their employees and continue operations and public outreach. 8UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement that museums play a part in the "resilience of societies. We must help them cope with this crisis and keep them in touch with their audiences." 9Azoulay noted that the pandemic has brought attention to the fact that half of the world's population lacks access to digital technologies. "We must work to promote access to culture for everyone," she said. 10In the United States, the American Alliance of Museums estimates museums are losing $33 million a day. 11Another estimate shows nonprofit arts and cultural organizations across the U.S. had lost more than $5.5 billion by mid-May. That number comes from a study by Americans for the Arts. 12This month, UNESCO plans to begin discussions among international professionals about how to deal with the problems facing museums. The talks are part of its ResiliArt movement, which was first established to support artists affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The first three events will center around the situation in Central and South America. 13I'm Ashley Thompson. 14VOA News reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. 15_____________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17museum - n. a building in which interesting and valuable things (such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects) are collected and shown to the public 18pandemic - n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people over a wide area or throughout the world 19institution - n. an established organization or corporation (such as a bank or university) especially of a public character 20resilience - n. the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens 21society - n. people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values 22cope - v. to deal with problems and difficult situations and try to come up with solutions 23access - n. a way of getting near, at, or to something or someone 24digital - adj. using or characterized by computer technology 25promote - v. to help (something) happen, develop, or increase