THIS had all the makings of being a vintage year for the arts in Oxfordshire. Impressive programmes of plays, shows, gigs and concerts, visits by international stars, the return of popular events and even a clutch of new festivals, was set to make 2020 a year to remember.
While that proved true, it was for all the wrong reasons.
The arts sector was among the first to be hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the hardest hit. Many venues which closed their doors in March are still closed and have no idea when they will be realistically able to reopen.
And while productions, events and festivals have been rescheduled, there is still unease over how – or even if – they will go ahead.