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Australian Cultural and Creative Activity: A Population and Hotspot Analysis is the first comparative analysis of hotspots of creative activity predominantly in regional Australia. The project examines the contemporary dynamics of cultural and creative activity in Australia by key regions. The research develops the contemporary national picture while also exploring the factors which are producing local and regional creative ‘hotspots’ – defined here as urban or regional areas which evidence well above average creative and innovative growth and potential.

This project represents a major innovation, bringing together: Population-level data of cultural production (e.g. visual arts)/creative services (e.g. architecture, advertising); comparative studies of local cultural and creative activity; and macro-level quantitative data and micro level qualitative data.

The speakers will present the study’s overarching national findings and a summary of the key drivers and characteristics of the creative industries ecosystems in two states: Queensland (Cairns, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Winton) and Western Australia (Geraldton, Busselton, Freemantle, Albany/Denmark).