creative brisbane creative economy...creative brisbane creative economy 2013-22 strategy was...

C R E A T I V E S E C T O R S U R V E Y

S U M M A R Y R E P O R T 2 0 1 7

C R E AT I V E B R I S B A N E

C R E AT I V E E C O N O M Y

Brisbane City Council sees an exciting future for the creative industries in Brisbane and is committed to working with the creative sector to deliver new lifestyle and leisure opportunities. The Creative Brisbane Creative Economy 2013-22 strategy was developed to further this goal and ensure Brisbane will be the premiere location for talented people to live, work and play. From cultural producers engaging minds and building unique cultural experiences, to artistic enterprises producing world-class products and services for local, national and international markets, the creative sector enriches lives, connects communities and helps grow the local economy.

In late 2016, Council commissioned an independent research provider to undertake a survey of Brisbane’s creative sector. The survey was the first

industry-specific research undertaken by Council. This report provides some key findings and insights from the survey.

This research is part of the Creative Brisbane Creative Economy 2013-22 strategy and aims to unlock the potential of Brisbane’s creative economy to provide conditions where local creative talent can thrive. It is also about how Council can better serve, support and enable our city’s creative talent and entrepreneurs.

Nearly 700 Brisbane-based creatives completed the survey. The gathered information includes demographic and industry details, reasons for working in Brisbane, trading partners and regions, access to talent and space. It raises awareness and take-up of Council services. The insights gained from the survey are already informing Council support for the sector.

Council will continue its research and engagement with the creative sector and will seek input into the development of services and support. To find out how you can be involved, email [email protected] or phone Council on 3403 8888.

For information about Council services and opportunities for the creative sector, including grants and expressions of interest, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/creativebrisbane

BACKGROUND

P A G E 2C R E A T I V E B R I S B A N E C R E A T I V E E C O N O M Y S U R V E Y R E P O R T

SURVEY RESPONDENTS

3%

9%5% 5%

1% 1%

18% 16%

42% Postgraduate degree - PhD

Postgraduate degree - Masters

Graduate diploma or graduate certificate

Bachelor degree

Advanced diploma or diploma

Certificate III/IV

Year 12

Year 11 or below

Other

12%

18-24

50%

25-39

32%

40-54

4%

55-64

1%

65+

A g e o f r e s p o n d e n t s

H i g h e s t l e v e l o f e d u c a t i o n a c h i e v e d

12% YES88% NO

S p e a k a l a n g u a g e o t h e r t h a n E n g l i s h a t h o m e

Figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding.Figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Figures may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

S a m p l e s i z e

698 respondents

1% O t h e r

60% F e m a l e

40%M a l e

2 % P R E F E R N O T T O S A Y

3% YES95% NO

I d e n t i f y a s A b o r i g i n a l o r To r r e s S t r a i t I s l a n d e r


INDUSTRY AND OCCUPATION

Many cultural production respondents find it challenging to work in Brisbane. Employment opportunities, limited frequency of work and career pathways are some of the major obstacles.

Council recognises the importance of supporting both creative service and cultural production workers. Improving Council’s relationships with the city’s creative sector will help to better promote career pathways to attract and retain cultural production workers.

INS IGHT

72%of respondents work solely in their creative job. Those who work in creative services are more likely to have a creative job as their sole occupation.

16%of respondents work in cultural production.

84% of respondents work in creative services.

Music professionals

Actors, dancers, other entertainers

Artistic directors

Fashions designers

Stage directors

Specialist managers

Advertising and marketing professionals

Graphic and web designers

Architects

Technicians


PERCEPTIONS OF SECTOR HEALTH

C o m p a r e d t o t w o y e a r s a g o h o w w o u l d y o u r a t e B r i s b a n e ’ s c r e a t i v e s e c t o r?

H o w w o u l d y o u r a t e y o u r c o n f i d e n c e i n t h e c r e a t i v e s e c t o r i n B r i s b a n e g o i n g f o r w a r d ?

5%

13%

31%

37%

9%

6%

Substantially worse

Somewhat worse

About the same

Somewhat better

Substantially better

Don’t know/unsure

43%10% 32% 10%4%

Not at all confident Very confident


57%of creative businesses expect their sales to grow over the next 12 months and there are high levels of confidence in both cultural production and creative services.

Businesses with five or more employees are more likely to have a positive outlook for the future.

INS IGHT



BUSINESS OWNERS

n= 294 (Business owners)


Brisbane’s creative sector is dominated by sole traders and businesses of medium longevity.

Sole traders are more likely to work in cultural production and find it more challenging to create a sustainable business.

INS IGHT


H o w m a n y p e o p l e d o e s y o u r b u s i n e s s c u r r e n t l y e m p l o y ?

L e n g t h o f t i m e i n b u s i n e s s

12% Less than 6 months

8% Between 6 and 12 months

19% Between 1 and 3 years




4% More than 20 years

ONE THIRDof respondents run their own business.

of business owners are sole traders.54%

1 person 2-4 people 5-19 people 20-199 people

More than 200 people - 0%

13%

6%

27%54%

WORK PREMISES

Lease affordability

Distinct location atmosphere

Proximity to markets/customers

Access to public transport

Availability of parking

Technical infrastructure

Proximity to customers or suppliers

Access to co-share work space

Proximity to cultural venues

Proximity to academic institutions

Lease flexibility

Other

Heritage area

I own the premises

59%

51%

42%

41%

39%

34%

31%

26%

21%

18%

17%

11%

7%

4%n= 71 (Business owners with separate premises)


Making more spaces available for a variety of creative projects is important. These need to be affordable, flexible spaces with short-term lease options.

INS IGHT

50%of respondents work in Brisbane’s city centre. While there is an even split between the south, north and west of Brisbane, fewer respondents work in the eastern suburbs.


F o r t h o s e n o t h o m e - b a s e d , w h a t a r e t h e k e y m o t i v a t o r s f o r w o r k i n g f r o m y o u r c u r r e n t l o c a t i o n ?

72%h o m e - b a s e d b u s i n e s s

28%o t h e r b u s i n e s s p r e m i s e s

TRADING PARTNERSAND REGIONS

Business to business (B2B) Both Business to consumer (B2C)

B2C 63%

B2B 69%

Both 33%

W h e r e d o y o u / y o u r b u s i n e s s t r a d e y o u r g o o d s o r s e r v i c e s ?

W h o d o y o u / y o u r b u s i n e s s t r a d e y o u r g o o d s o r s e r v i c e s w i t h ?

ASIA PACIFICis our strongest international trading region.

n= 698 (all respondents)


80%of respondents trade locally however, almost half of respondents trade nationally and internationally.

Creative services and businesses that have been trading for more than ten years are more likely to trade interstate and internationally.

INS IGHT


80% Locally – Brisbane

68% Queensland

58% Nationally

41% Internationally

FUNDING AND GROWTHSTRATEGIES

Most businesses are using a mix of strategies to grow their businesses.



58%

55%

50%

50%

33%

24%

21%

20%

19%

5%

Exploring new partnerships

Investing in marketing and branding

Developing new products and services

Exploring new markets (e.g. international markets)

Exploring business improvements/efficiencies

Investing in personnel capability development

Investing in research and development

Investing in capital equipment or assets

Increasing staff numbers

Other

W h a t a r e y o u r c u r r e n t s t r a t e g i e s f o r g r o w i n g y o u r b u s i n e s s ?

The creative sector is more likely to invest in non-tangible strategies to grow its businesses. Council can play a large role in facilitating these activities by connecting businesses, improving creative networks and advocating for local products.

INS IGHT

FUNDING AND GROWTHSTRATEGIES

n= 107 (Business owners who are seeking funding)

P A G E 1 0C R E A T I V E B R I S B A N E C R E A T I V E E C O N O M Y S U R V E Y R E P O R T

33% of business owners are actively seeking funding from a variety of sources to grow their business.

Grants from government or other bodies

Crowd-sourced funding

Investment/equity from other private investors

Credit/loan from a bank or other financial institution

Investment/equity from other businesses e.g. venture capital

Investment/equity from owners/friends/family

68%

29%

20%

17%

10%

10%

An Initial Public Offering1%

Other2%

I f y e s , w h a t f u n d i n g a r e y o u c u r r e n t l y s e e k i n g ?

24% of all respondents have applied for funding from Council.

of respondents who have not applied for funding were not aware of Council’s funding opportunities. Business owners are more likely to apply for funding from Council but almost three quarters of business owners want more information on Council grants and awards.

INS IGHT

67%

WORKING IN BRISBANE

People, lifestyle and weather attracted respondents to Brisbane and keeps them working there.

W h a t a t t r a c t s y o u t o a n d k e e p s y o u w o r k i n g i n B r i s b a n e ?

Family/friends live in Brisbane 75%

Lifestyle/social life/recreation 64%

Established business reputation 24%

Other 5%

Pay rates 6%

Access to skilled workers 6%

Employment opportunities 19%

Business opportunities 16%

Partner works in Brisbane 33%

Existing clients 24%

Growth potential 26%

Cultural life 34%

Cost of living 33%

Access to suitable premises 24%

Climate 49%


Respondents highlighted the need to retain a skilled workforce and the availability of venues for creative use.

There is an opportunity for Council to help creatives become sustainable and to foster a shared identity amongst the creative sector.

INS IGHT


COUNCILSUPPORT FOR THESECTOR

W h a t s h o u l d C o u n c i l f o c u s o n t o e n a b l e a n d s u p p o r t t h e c r e a t i v e s e c t o r i n B r i s b a n e ?

Promotion of local creative products and services

Advocating on behalf of the creative sector

Making Council facilities available for use by the creative sector

Supporting and delivering festivals and events

Employment opportunities

Increasing the number of cultural venues

Working with other levels of government

Providing networking opportunities

Facilitating entry into international markets

Simplifying Council licensing and compliance

Business information and development opportunities

Other 13%

38%

39%

39%

40%

44%

45%

52%

56%

63%

64%

64%



Respondents believe Council can support and enable them in a variety of ways, most importantly, by promoting and advocating on behalf of the sector and by providing access to Council facilities.

INS IGHT

Brisbane City Council Information

GPO Box 1434Brisbane Qld 4001

CA16-996393-04-2902© 2017 Brisbane City Council

brisbane.qld.gov.au or call 3403 8888

facebook.com/BrisbaneCityCouncil

@brisbanecityqld

instagram.com/brisbanecitycouncil

Council will continue its research and engagement with Brisbane’s creative sector throughout 2017. To get involved, email [email protected] or phone Council on 3403 8888.

For information about Council services and opportunities for the creative sector, including grants and expressions of interest, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/creativebrisbane

creative brisbane creative economy...creative brisbane creative economy 2013-22 strategy was...

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