A “Cyber First” campaign advertisement to encourage careers in cybersecurity has received significant backlash for being insensitive and inappropriate.
The government has tried to distance themselves from the ad but already made their feelings towards creatives clear. Its timing overshadowed the government’s plans to invest £1.57 billion in the UK’s arts industry, set to support arts institutions and protect creative jobs.
In an ironic twist, the photograph used in the ad is actually a cropped version of a photograph by American Photographer, Kiers Alex, used without her permission.
Photographer Krys Alex was “devastated” that her image was used in such a way and without permission
The Cyber First advertisement has received major backlash for being insensitive to creatives. The original photo featured ballet dancer Desire’e Kelley and Tasha Williams, owner of Vibez in Motion Dance Studio in Atlanta. Williams was cropped out of the image that was used by the UK government.
Creative industries have been severly affected during COVID-19. Theatres, music venues, galleries, and comedy clubs have all been closed.
The government announced an initial £75 million investment to support “iconic arts venues and culutural organisations,” but those working in the industry remained sceptical.
Sara Williams, a musical theatre actor based in Glasgow said:
“It’s too little, too late. The government in both Scotland and the UK rushed to get folk back into pubs and offices but theatres still aren’t open. I think it really shows where their priorities lie. “The way the money will be distributed values instructions over individual artists. I think it’s good that theatres are getting the support they need but because they still can’t open, actors are still out of a job for the next few months.”
Self-employed people were unable to benefit from the furlough scheme launched in March, with financial support not put in place until two months into lockdown. Self-employed artists will not see a penny of the support fund.
Gemma Sargent, a bespoke dressmaker based in Edinburgh argued that self-employed artists have been left behind.
“
A good majority of creatives: artists, dancers, designers, are self-employed.
“The financial help for self-employed people right now is totally inadequate.
“All of the government’s support money has gone to arts institutions like theatres. None of it has gone to individual creatives. It basically misses a huge amount of people working in the arts.”
The offence caused by the Cyber First ad might have been unintentional, but the government’s insufficient support for the creative industry and everyone working in the field does nothing but undervalue and discourage them.
Image Credit: HM Government
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