ABSTRACT

This chapter explores how cultural workers in Norway coped with their work situation one month after the full lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which began on 12 March 2020. An online questionnaire with standardized as well as open-ended questions was distributed by email to members of Creo – Norway's largest trade union for performing artists. Based on 1,337 responses, our analyses revealed that cultural workers predominantly entered fight modes and, to a lesser extent, flight or freeze modes in the initial phase of the pandemic. Whereas musicians to a large degree rotated their work portfolios, we observed notable differences between occupational groups and work arrangements. Groups with a high degree of permanent employment, such as church musicians and music teachers, became active problem-solvers in terms of technology adoption. Conversely, groups that were self-employed or furloughed (backstage workers, dancers, actors) to a greater extent went into a flight or freeze mode. A striking finding is that innovative coping modes were more prevalent among the employed than the self-employed. Cultural workers who were coping through seeking and providing social support and skill nurturing were more satisfied with their current work situation.