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Western Sydney Creative works closely with the Centre for Western Sydney, local sector partners and government to deliver independent research and analysis into Western Sydney’s arts and culture sector. Our work provides timely and high-quality research that provides new insights and opportunities that can help guide policy, measure impact and inform public policy.
Unleashing Creativity: Strategies for Growing Western Sydney’s Creative Industries
Unleashing Creativity reveals that, with the right investment, Western Sydney’s creative industries could quadruple in size, contributing an additional $6.4 billion per annum in economic output, creating over 24,000 new jobs and further enhancing the region’s position as a leading creative hub.
Western Sydney’s creative industries are at a pivotal moment, facing both significant challenges and opportunities. As one of Australia’s most culturally diverse and rapidly growing regions, Western Sydney boasts a rich array of creative talent, innovative enterprises and a vibrant cultural scene. However, despite these strengths, the region has not received the same level of investment in its creative and cultural sectors as Eastern Sydney, leading to significant inequities in funding, infrastructure and resources that have restricted the success of Western Sydney’s creative industries sector. This report examines the current state of the region’s creative industries, highlights areas of potential and offers strategic recommendations to cultivate a thriving creative economy.
Unleashing Creativity Report
Unleashing Creativity makes five key recommendations to support the region’s creative economy:
- Develop a skilled and diverse creative workforce – Invest in training, mentorship, and pathways to retain and cultivate local talent.
- Expand and improve creative spaces and infrastructure – Address the shortage of affordable, accessible spaces to foster community growth and industry collaboration.
- Leverage regional expertise and specialisations – Build on local strengths in fast-growing sectors like Creative and Performing Arts.
- Support industry ecosystems and growth – Strengthen local supply chains and reduce reliance on imported services.
- Maximise positive impact through data and research – Use comprehensive data collection to guide strategic decisions and showcase the sector’s economic impact.
State of the Arts Report 2023
This report provides a bespoke analysis of the creative economy grounded in current and emerging challenges faced by those working in the arts in Western Sydney to capture where the arts sector is at present and what is required moving forward. Accordingly, it proposes sector-led recommendations based on the needs and aspirations of arts and cultural workers in the region.
Together, the key partners – Business Western Sydney, Western Sydney Creative and the Centre for Wester Sydney seek to influence policy developments in arts and culture in response to key trends, needs and recommendations of those working in the sector in Western Sydney. Further, the report seeks to stimulate further research and policy interventions to realise a sustainable, viable and thriving future for arts and culture in Western Sydney.
Key Priorities for the Arts in Western Sydney
- Commit to minimum per-capita funding for arts and culture in Western Sydney–based on population distribution across three tiers of government.
- Boost operations and programs funding from Create NSW for Western Sydney’s small-to-medium arts sector.
- Fund and commission critical research into Indigenous arts and culture in Western Sydney.
- Establish local, high-quality higher arts education, training, employment and business development pathways to deliver the artistic and creative skills required for the future of Western Sydney.
- Implement a process that allows active participation of arts and culture stakeholders in cross-government decision-making and ensure that their voices are heard on issues that impact the sector in Western Sydney.
- Support the development of the Western Sydney Arts Alliance as a key independent peak advocacy body that provides feedback on government policy, raises the image and profile of the sector.
- Drive impactful research in Western Sydney’s arts and culture in partnership with WSU to support and develop a comprehensive and coordinated approach to high-quality research into all aspects of arts and culture in Western Sydney.
- Provide funding and support to Create NSW to establish a Leadership and Development Program specifically for underrepresented artists.
- Establish an AI and Digital Capability Program for artists and the small-to-medium arts sector in Western Sydney.
- Undertake a feasibility study for developing cultural precincts and creative industry clusters around key upcoming WestInvest arts and culture projects across the region.
- Investigate the role the region’s universities can play in supporting the growth of the region’s creative industries, enterprises and entrepreneurs, harnessing the potential of universities to drive economic development and support the success of the region’s creative businesses region.
- Revitalise the NSW Health and Arts Framework (2016) to provide resources and develop strategies that recognise the preventative and health benefits of culture in supporting regional recovery.
Upcoming Research
State of the Arts, Indigenous Arts and Culture in Western Sydney Objective
To provide a comprehensive report on Indigenous arts and culture in Western Sydney, focusing on its definition, practices, production, engagement, challenges, and opportunities for growth. The report will examine the economic, social, and cultural benefits of Indigenous arts and culture, identify the strengths and limitations of the current landscape, and outline the support and training required to cultivate a vibrant and sustainable Indigenous arts and cultural community.
- Analysis of current Indigenous arts and cultural practices in Western Sydney.
- Identification of training, support, and infrastructure needs.
- Strategic recommendations for strengthening Indigenous arts and culture in Western Sydney.
- Highlight of key strengths and potential opportunities for growth.
State of Giving: Philanthropy Report for Western Sydney Objective
To research and develop a comprehensive report on philanthropy in Western Sydney, with a particular focus on the arts, health, environment, and community sectors. This report will address the current lack of accurate and comparable data on all forms of giving in Western Sydney, including corporate, individual and foundation giving as well as provide evidence-based recommendations to:
- Lay the future foundations for giving in Western Sydney.
- Improve understanding of how people from diverse giving communities experience philanthropy.
- Assist government in developing better policies to support philanthropy.
- Serve the long-term interests of the Western Sydney community.
- Inform the University’s advancement and philanthropic efforts.
