The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global cultural and creative industries. Sectors such as performing arts, visual arts, film and media arts, design, to name a few, have been deeply affected by the pandemic, especially if they require in-person gathering and interactions. Over the course of the pandemic, many arts and cultural organizations experienced significant financial losses due to the closure of venues, as well as the cancellation and postponements of many events. This resulted in income loss for creative practitioners and professionals, adding to their stress and anxiety. Governments and related agencies around the world have put in place mechanisms to support cultural and creative organizations and practitioners.

The pandemic has also hastened the debate over digitization/digitalization of the arts. On the one hand, digital platforms opened up new avenues for audience engagement and development. On the other hand, digital divide remains a challenge. Furthermore, some practitioners were unsure whether the shift to digital platforms was temporary or permanent. As we exit the pandemic, we must recognize that the events of the last few years should not be forgotten. If anything, the pandemic has shown the world that the cultural and creative industries, especially the practitioners, are remarkably resilient. There are lessons to be learnt and the way we debate about cultural and creative industries has forever been changed. This conference, Cultural Management in the Post-Pandemic World, seeks to engage scholars and practitioners in meaningful discussions on the new directions of post-pandemic cultural management practices and education, particularly in the Greater Bay Area and the region (East and Southeast Asia).