The cultural sector’s governance proved by COVID-19. A European comparison

In most countries, the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic has curbed or blocked activities related to cultural life, arts and performing arts, heritage as well as the supply and demand of the cultural and creative sector (CCS). Using information collected from March 2020 to March 2021 - and available on the websites of national and local institutions, national and international observatories or statistical institutes, public and private cultural institutions, trade unions, professional and social organizations – the article compares the different governance systems (formal and informal participated by public and private, profit and non-profit organizations) that map the sector in the main European countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom) and in the United States highlighting the role they played in understanding the needs of the different players (firms, creatives, artists and professionals) in the sector and in making the support measures more immediate and effective.