MAPPING CULTURE

of models, spanning, ‘collectives, co-operatives, labs, incubators and can be static,
mobile or online’ (p.5). Conducting qualitative and quantitative research with creative
hub practitioners and users would enhance understanding of how these hubs connect
to creative participation, as well as how they can be sustained and scaled. This idea
relates to the goal to ‘ensure opportunities for creative participation are based on
sustainable financial models’ (City of Sydney, 2014a, p.51)
3) Sector sustainability: surviving and thriving
This priority seeks the following outcomes: ‘A city in which the business and creative
opportunities for local artists, creative workers and cultural organisations are
supported and expanded, leading to greater sector sustainability, productivity gains
and innovation.’ (City of Sydney, 2014a, p.66). Outlined below are some research
avenues which connect to this priority area:
●
Exploring local and global initiatives to co-design a 齰〗 ordable housing and work
spaces for artists
A key challenge to sector sustainability spans affordable housing and lack of work
spaces, ‘including rehearsal rooms, studios and meeting rooms’ (City of Sydney, 2014a,
p.58). While existing spaces in the City of Sydney have been mapped, researching local
needs and ideas alongside successful international initiatives could inform future
plans to create new spaces and convert existing spaces to support artists, creative
workers and cultural organisations. In addition, spatial analysis of industries, in
relation to locations of value chain roles, new developments, and perhaps other public
information, would provide rich contextual data (real estate prices per square metre
would be a relevant metric for the location of small cultural venues in particular). This
avenue connects with the following goal: ‘deliver an increased number of affordable,
accessible, creative workspaces throughout the city for temporary and long-term use,
customised for a diversity of art-form disciplines, including relevant tools, equipment
and facilities to promote a diversity of creative practice.’ (City of Sydney, 2014a, p.66)
●
Identifying opportunities related to capacity building and centralising promotion of
industry-speci 秜ᇘ c training, mentorships, networks and infrastructure
Key challenges identified for sector sustainability include, ‘access to and awareness of
training, mentorships and business advice; access to business and creative networks;
and access to equipment and infrastructure that can facilitate art-form practice’ (City
of Sydney, 2014a, p.56). Qualitative and quantitative research would contribute to
richer understandings of the existing capacity building opportunities available –
alongside their spread and take-up across the City of Sydney villages. The identified
gap in centralised information could be addressed via the collection and addition of
this information to the proposed ‘cultural web portal/digital platform’ (see Section 1).
This resource would visualise village-specific opportunities aligned with the current
Cultural Venues and Infrastructure Database. Qualitative interviews with people
involved in organisations representing different spatial types and value chain roles
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