Studying the public in the pandemic

The paper discusses studying the art audience during the period of self-isolation. Author’s researches of the audience of theaters, concert halls and museums, carried out prior and during the period of massive self-isolation, suggest the need to develop new forms of active consumption of art for the elderly audience, deprived of the opportunity to personally attend concerts and performances. The study explains the main reasons why remote consumption of art does not replace visiting live performances and museums. In addition, it is suggested that leisure time should be returned to the budget structure as an independent category that allows avoiding role conflicts in working conditions at home and distance learning.