The impact of the pandemic on the functioning of selected cultural institutions in Krakow and Katowice

Abstract

One of basic needs of society, especially of a highly developed one, is satisfying non-material needs, including participation in culture. Thus, cultural activity becomes a popular and widespread phenomenon. The COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on the cultural sphere of Polish cities. All cultural institutions had to deal with the frequently changing rules of their functioning and adjust to the sanitary regime. The work aims to illustrate significant changes introduced as a result of the pandemic in the functioning of the cultural zone of Krakow and Katowice (Poland). Conversations and interviews with representatives of selected institutions allowed to draw the attention to the basic problems of their functioning. Moreover, on the basis of the survey conducted among the recipients of culture, the use and the degree of satisfaction with the implemented solutions were also shown. The research shows that all surveyed institutions quickly began to create remote means of contact with the respondent. Nevertheless, the interest in the activities of cultural institutions during the pandemic was, as one might expect, significantly limited. The expected impact of the pandemic period on the functioning of cultural institutions in the future, however, seems paradoxically positive. All institutions agree that most of the major events will be more online in the future, becoming hybrid events, which can help attract the attention of a younger audience.