Re-imagine: What Next?

Let’s re-imagine together

The COVID-19 pandemic has completely disrupted the arts and cultural industries. The pandemic has illuminated pressures we were already feeling. It is bringing to light aspects of our industry many have long wanted to change, along with new issues we are now being forced to address.

Future disruptions are inevitable, and the arts and cultural industries must rapidly adjust to ensure they don’t just survive but thrive in the future.

We have heard from many artists, cultural practitioners and organisations through industry roundtables, surveys, informal conversations and focus groups. We have heard from you as you deal with and respond to the immediate crisis, and whilst you consider how to start thinking productively about the future.

2020 SECTOR CONSULTATION FINDINGS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

We are now pleased to share the summary of the findings from the 2020 sector consultation Re-imagine: What next?. The findings highlight the ongoing challenges to artists and creative workers’ livelihoods, many of which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Indeed, for many, survival was and remains the primary concern.

The consultation also highlights the resilience of an industry that has long grappled with precarity while continuing to generate and innovate. The findings cast light on challenges of accelerated digital adaptation through the pandemic, and show our creative workers’ swiftness in identifying new and more sustainable ways to engage internationally.

Three key themes emerged in the findings: survival and resilience, centring equity and public value. We are reflecting on these findings and identifying our actions in response. Many of the actions that participants called for are already well and truly underway at the Council. Some of the challenges identified remain in front of us and will demand more of our attention and leadership.

Download the RTF version of the findings.

Download an Easy English version of the findings.

Watch the Auslan interpreted flyer and read the transcript.

THE FUTURE

All segments and players across the industry will play a role in determining and creating the future of our industries. At this point, a dialogue across the industry is required. Through this dialogue, we can acknowledge the current situation, understand the opportunities for change, and engage in a national conversation about the shared future that we can create.

HOW WE CONDUCTED THIS DIALOGUE

Throughout September and October 2020, we invited the public to engage with us via our online portal and through a series of online town hall discussions. In addition, there was a range of focus groups that align with our key questions.

Our two big questions were:

• What do we want the arts and cultural industries to look like in 2030?
• How do we get there?

We brought together your thoughts and ideas and shared these with you through the findings summary.

We will also be using the information we gather to help us determine priorities.

It will be up to you and all members of the arts and cultural industries, present and emerging, to reflect, discuss, and act.

Download the accessible version of the discussion paper.

Download the Easy English version of the discussion paper.

ONLINE PORTAL

The online portal was a place to share ideas, respond to key questions and engage in a dialogue about the shared future that can be created. It was accessible until 5.00pm AEDT Tuesday 20 October. (Submissions to the portal are now closed)

It was possible to have your say by:

• attending an online town hall (These sessions have now passed)
• posting your ideas to the ideas wall (submissions are now closed)
• making a submission. (submissions are now closed)

ONLINE TOWN HALL DISCUSSIONS

A series of online town hall discussions were hosted on the following days:

• Public town hall 1: Wednesday 30 September (This session has now passed)
• Public town hall 2: Friday 2 October (This session has now passed)