Scope and Content Note
Despite the occurrence of a global pandemic, the performing arts community has continued to explore innovative ways of conceiving art and sharing it with audiences. These creative works are fueled by a wide range of emotional, professional, and spiritual motivations. The Music Division has undertaken a strategy to capture our nation’s cultural heritage during this time by establishing the Performing Arts COVID-19 Response Collection. The collection consists of artistic works and accompanying primary source materials that document the performing arts creative response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The creating individuals and organizations are nationally prominent and recognized for their achievements in the performing arts and are either American citizens or artists active in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. The works are original and were created after March 1, 2020. They are either about, reference, or were created in response to the coronavirus, social distancing, or life in quarantine. In some instances, the works were commissioned by an individual, ensemble, consortium, or other organization specifically to support creative artists during the pandemic. The works represent three genres of the performing arts: Music , Theater , and Dance . The Theater series encompasses plays, musical theater, and opera. Whenever possible, an oral history or written account is included to provide further context. Such instances are noted.