Turkey’s contemporary art scene worried but hopeful

While Turkey's struggle against the COVID-19 virus brings more rigid actions for social life, the arts and culture scene is trying to survive with what they have in hand. On the other hand, Turkey's contemporary art scene stays positive and active amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Galleries conduct and organize online exhibition tours and museums started their museum from home virtual and online programs.

However, how this will continue and what will happen is everyone's concern.

On the other hand, everyone is trying to survive in this time of crisis and support each other. Up to now, despite the huge death toll numbers, we know that Europe has allocated lots of money for arts and culture. In recent news, France indicated they have prepared aid packages for arts and culture, just like Germany. However, considering the whole crisis does not have a single side and the loss of other EU countries, the situation gets worse.

Meanwhile, hardships bring new ways to discover life and art and the viewer is discovering new ways of seeing and understanding art. Even though there are many online exhibitions and many different activities, such as concerts, movies, and small one-man theater shows, the reality does not change: The fact is everyone is staying at home and maybe this is the time that everyone needs art more than art. As April is the Arts, Culture and Creativity Month, the need for arts and culture is obvious for public health.

Among all the hardships, Turkish art galleries are doing online live artist talks, online exhibition tours, while museums are holding to their digital platforms for showing art. However, everyone is also concerned about the economic sides and think about their future business and employment.

On the other hand,...