The Influence of Covid-19 Pandemic on Emprak Art in Jepara

Lecture of Department History, Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University, Semarang - Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: alamsyah.fib@live.undip.ac.id

Abstract

This article was to explain how the Covid-19 pandemic that occurred in Indonesia from the beginning of 2020 to 2021 had an effect on Empark Art existence in Jepara. The purpose of the study was to describe analytically the impact of covid on the emprak art existence and how to make emprak art in Jepara sustainable. The method used was a descriptive qualitative and historical method. The results showed that the Covid-19 pandemic had reduced the Emprak art performance. This decline affected the artists’ creativity and economic income. On the creativity side, they rarely practice because there were no performances. This condition hampered the regeneration process. The artists, especially the younger generation, were more focused on activities outside the arts. From the economic side, the artist’s income had also decreased, and even there was no income anymore. On the other hand, the regulations of staging prohibition to prevent the spread of COVID-19 had made emprak art even worse. This was what made this art suspended. Therefore, there needs to be an effort from the artists, government, and the supporting community so that this art can survive and be sustainable. The conclusion showed that the Covid-19 pandemic had an effect on the emprak existence related to the artists’ income and regeneration process.