COVID-19 paralyses Australian cultural sector

The cancelled activities include Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March and April, and Vivid Sydney 2020, a light, music and idea festival in May and June. Both events have a history of more than a decade and are great contributors to the local culture and tourism development. Other influential art festivals and music festivals have been cancelled or postponed as well, such as Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney Film Festival and Byron Bay Bluefest.

Turning to internet has become an option for many institutions. For instance, the ongoing 22nd Biennale of Sydney has temporarily stopped the exhibition in galleries and provides a virtual display with online guidance. The National Gallery of Victoria established a platform on the internet for the public and updated its activities on social media.

Despite such measures, most Australian cultural organizations and activities are stuck in a limbo, dealing a heavy blow to the local cultural industry that heavily relies on cultural festivals and competitions.