The Ongoing Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Traditional Art Industry in North-Central Ethiopia

The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on traditional art and craftworks in North-Central Ethiopia. The study was conducted using a descriptive study design. A total of 72 samples were selected for a questionnaire survey, and 16 informants were contacted for interview purposes. The study found that 79% of the art businesses were closed, creating more visible and systematic challenges. The pandemic has created challenges for artists to change their work from crafts to mask production, traditional art and crafts pedagogy, and women’s labor forces. Additionally, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 80.56, 81.94, and 81.94% of traditional artists and craftsmen’s physical mobility were paused, the artistic freedom and knowledge transfer activities were denied, and the ability to work their artistic activities was reduced, respectively. On the other hand, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 77.78% of traditional artists and craftsmen were worried about being unemployed and 76.39% were in disturbing situations due to the coronavirus. Furthermore, 61.11% of respondents did not feel motivated or optimistic about the future of their work as a result of corona