The arts sector in the Northern Rivers is a unique and beautiful organism.
Woven deeply into the fabric of our community, it is a key attraction for visitors, a major employer of locals and – most importantly – a prism that reflects the colourful spectrum of who we are.
But like so many other sectors in our region, the arts have been bounced around like a cork on a raging river in recent times – bearing the brunt of the pandemic, multiple natural disasters, and the economic downturn.
This week, Arts Northern Rivers has released a landmark report that both paints a picture of the current state of the arts and offers a road map toward brighter times.
The first comprehensive mapping of the Northern Rivers creative sector in over 15 years, the Who We Are report reveals that our region has the largest cultural sector in regional Australia.
Local cultural and creative businesses grew 27 per cent between 2016 and 2021, the report found, generating an estimated $900 million in business turnover in 2021.
High creative numbers
Not surprisingly, the local creative workforce lifted with the rising tide, expanding at four times the national average between 2011 and 2020.
But this upward climb was followed by an equally dramatic fall in fortunes over the last four to five years.
With government funding and audience engagement both drying up, and physical infrastructure battered by the floods, many arts organisations have been forced to cut staff, downscale their operations and, in some cases, close up shop completely.
The solution, unsurprisingly, is far from simple.
According to Arts Northern Rivers Executive Director, Jane Fuller, the first plank in rebuilding the sector is finding appropriate spaces.
‘The key to revitalising the arts sector, based on our report’s findings, is ensuring access to affordable and accessible creative spaces,’ Ms Fuller told The Echo on the eve of the report’s release.
‘Artists and creatives need dedicated places to make, gather, and present their work across every local government area (LGA). These spaces should be multi-disciplinary, catering to a range of art forms and fostering collaboration’.
Collection of hubs
Ms Fuller envisages a collection of hubs across the region, that feature rehearsal spaces, theatres, galleries, studios, retail opportunities, and communal gathering areas.
‘They would be designed to support artists at all stages of their careers, offering room for experimentation, professional development, and public engagement,’ Ms Fuller says.
‘By integrating these elements, such a space would not only nurture artistic practice but also strengthen the creative economy, providing a sustainable foundation for the sector to grow and thrive’.
Of course, such spaces are unlikely to fund and build themselves.
Urgent investment
Based on the report’s findings, Arts Northern Rivers is calling for urgent strategic investment from both the public and private sectors.
This includes funding that is directed specifically to support First Nations artists and Blak-owned cultural hubs.
There is also a pressing need for cultural tourism initiatives to remind the nation and indeed the world of the incredible and varied things we have to offer.
Grassroots audiences also need to be acknowledged as the bread and butter of arts engagement, with community programming needed to boost attendances and economic impact.
Residencies, regional exchanges, and producer development will further strengthen career pathways.
Crucially, all of these intersecting ideas have come from local arts organisations themselves.
678 stakeholders
The study drew directly from 678 regional stakeholders, including 480 artists.
Of the respondents, 72 per cent identified primarily as artists or creative practitioners, while 34 per cent worked in roles such as marketing, production, or administration within creative businesses or cultural organisations.
There are a number of upcoming opportunities to learn more about the report and its findings.
These include Northern Rivers Zine Fair on Saturday, April 12, at the Kyogle Memorial Hall. Ms Fuller will be available in person to discuss the report’s key findings.
The other is the Who We Are webinar, on Wednesday April 16. For more information, visit www.artsnorthernrivers.com.au.
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