For an analysis of skills needs and workforce demand, see the Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Design cluster page.
The Culture and Related Industries IRC’s 2019 Skills Forecast highlights how the rise of the gig economy and freelance work is presenting both challenges and opportunities for the industry overall. This type of work, however, is more prevalent within certain subsectors such as Visual Arts, Crafts and Design. Historically, this sector has largely chosen to self-manage their career rather than depend on galleries or other third parties to assist with management and promotion. This does, however, expose these workers to working conditions which causes them to forego benefits such as sick leave, maternity leave, superannuation contributions and holiday pay.
FutureNow’s industry snapshot report Visual Arts states that while the impact on the visual arts sector from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated quarantine measures has been less immediate than in some other arts sectors, the general economic downturn is affecting discretionary spending. Most visual artists report that while they have been able to gain access to their studios and continue working throughout the quarantine period, sales opportunities continue to be lower than in previous years.
The report finds that due to the ongoing pandemic artists and arts workers have an increased need for skills relating to career management; small business and contract management; online engagement, digital production and marketing, sales, and brand management; and personal resilience and mental health management. Digital transformation is also underpinning the need for visual arts workers to be flexible and adaptable, and there is a growing range of digital production methods for artists to master as well as an increasing need for rigorous knowledge around intellectual property, public engagement, curation, conservation, and funding.
The Visual Arts report also states emerging opportunities in this industry include online marketplace, allowing visual artists direct access to a global audience; and public art, where artists receive commissions to produce artworks for the public-facing walls of buildings.
The National Association for the Visual Arts’ Pre-budget Submission Process for 2021-22 reports that First Nations arts and culture makes a large contribution to the economy, and it is estimated that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts industry brings $400 million to the economy each year. However, the disruption caused by COVID-19 on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres was profound, with art sales dropping by more than 50% in some locations and communities. The economic impact is felt most by First Nation women artists, who produced around 79.8% of all artworks between 2016/17 and 2018/19.
A discussion paper by Arts Queensland, Department of Environment and Science identifies the significance of this sector for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, highlighting that engagement in arts among First Nations not only supports economic empowerment but also builds community connectedness among these communities. Linking back to the current growth of technology, this paper outlines how this rapid development presents opportunities for the sector, particularly with regards to Queensland’s geographic remoteness, therefore effective use of technology can enhance regional access by growing audience reach, as well as supporting collaboration with international markets.
The Designers for a Circular Economy policy statement reveals that most sectors and industries in Australia are confronting waste and recycling issues, and the need to step-up with improved performance, good design and greater innovation. It states that designers are key to shaping a sustainable future that includes paying greater attention to benign and renewable materials, waste avoidance, re-use, repair and recycling. The report also outlines other benefits of promoting and supporting the value and role of ‘circular design’ initiatives, including enhanced R&D initiatives involving circular design expertise and knowledge, reduced environmental impacts as a result of designing-out waste and pollution from the outset, and meeting expectations of the design education sector and graduate designers.
The Crafting Self: Promoting the Making Self in the Creative Micro-Economy research report which investigates the changing environment for operating a creative micro-enterprise provides a range of general advice points, put together as a result of research among emerging and established creative makers. Many of the points raised are generally applicable to those working in the gig economy and as freelancers. The advice is varied and includes aspects such as: developing the business slowly overtime while maintaining other forms of income, doing further study as a way of accessing a studio, understand your customer base, financial advice and developing a strong network.
For insights relevant to Visual Arts, Crafts and Design and other related fields generally, see the Arts, Culture, Entertainment and Design cluster page.
