Fewer ethnically diverse creatives are employed, study finds

Ethnically diverse creatives are experiencing increased job insecurity and financial instability post-Covid, according to a University of Manchester study.

Researchers found 29% of respondents are in employment a year after the first lockdown – 22% less than in 2020 – with 44% saying they are now "financially unstable" or need immediate assistance to pay their bills.

30% of respondents had left the creative and cultural industries for another sector, raising concerns about backsliding diversity in the sector.

Dr Anamik Saha of Goldsmith University’s Centre on Dynamics of Ethnicity said the Black Lives Matter protests translated into relatively few new opportunities for Black creatives.

“Our hope is that in shining a light on their circumstances, media and cultural organisations can better support creative workers from minoritised communities, ensuring fair and equal treatment during these difficult times.”