[imagesource: National Cyber Security Centre]

As has been the case since lockdowns were implemented worldwide, tensions are high, especially when it comes to industries that have been hit the hardest by the knock-on effects of the pandemic.

In most countries, the arts and culture sector has taken a knock. With theatres and galleries closed, shows cancelled, and incomes lost, performers and others have found themselves in a difficult situation.

The new three-tier lockdown system set to be implemented in England also doesn’t seem to be easing up on the restrictions pertaining to the industry.

The National Cyber Security Centre in the UK didn’t take this into account when they sent out an advertising campaign aimed at attracting more people to jobs in cybersecurity.

The advert that caught the attention of the public, causing outrage on social media, is the one above, showing Atlanta-based dancer Desiree Kelley, renamed ‘Fatima’ in the campaign.

The ad shows a ballet dancer who doesn’t realise that her career is over, and she’ll soon be working towards a job in cybersecurity – at least that’s how it was interpreted.

This was seen as an attack on the arts, the implication being that those in the industry should consider other jobs outside of their chosen fields, amidst the pandemic.

The company that launched the campaign said that it was just trying to attract people to the cybersecurity sector.

The backlash has been so strong, reports BBC, that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has released a response distancing himself and his department from the campaign, calling it “crass” and “not appropriate”.

Dazed has more from the minister:

“This was a partner campaign encouraging people from all walks of life to think about a career in cyber security. I want to save jobs in the arts, which is why we are investing £1.57 billion.”

The ad seems to be part of a 2019 government campaign, which targeted those in other industries:

That Fatima ad appears to be from a 2019 campaign, aimed at adults and kids and not specifically aimed at people working in the arts.
This government are contemptible but being angry at stuff they haven’t done doesn’t help. pic.twitter.com/89ybbyu7bp

— Nick Pettigrew (@Nick_Pettigrew) October 12, 2020

Dan looks unhinged.

Despite the Tories’ assertion that they are doing everything that they can to sustain the arts, says Dazed, “it’s clear they regard creative jobs as self-indulgent hobbies, as opposed to serious careers”.

“Tories think only *their* kids deserve to join the profession of their dreams,” said Kerry-Anne Mendoza, the editor-at-large of left-wing news site The Canary. “That’s how we’ve ended up with talentless mediocrities across the media-political class. Because while Fatima is expected to bin a life of training for ‘cyber’, little Hyacinth will take her place.”

Obviously, the memes have started rolling in:

Image: London Economic

Image: London Economic

Image: Nick Oz Oztrazine / Twitter

Image: Greg Birks / Twitter

Image: Greg Birks / Twitter

Image: London Economic

You get the idea.

In the context of the difficulties facing the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a sensitive subject. The use of a ballet dancer – seen through the narrow focus of social media – seems ill-timed, to say the least.

It did produce some excellent memes, though.

[source:bbc&dazed]