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Facts and figures

Some Australian arts statistics

Draws on information from several major Australian Bureau of Statistics collections.

Household spending on arts and culture

In 2003–04, Australian households spent 4.1 per cent of their total expenditure on cultural goods and services.

Cultural tourism

Over 50 per cent of all international visitors to Australia participate in at least one cultural or heritage activity during their stay, according to a 2006 survey by Tourism Research Australia.

Growth in cultural centres and theatres

It is not always possible to have up-to-date or current data for statistical purposes. Some Australian Bureau of Statistics surveys are conducted on a regular basis: monthly, annually or every few years. Other major data collections such as the Census of Population and Housing are of a great scale and are only conducted every five years.

Copyright and the arts: growth in royalty payments

The Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) was formed in 1926 to protect and collect the royalties owed to songwriters, composers and music publishers. The Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) was established in 1979 as a music copyright collection society representing music publishers and music writers in the reproduction of their music.

Production of selected arts and related products

The Australian National Accounts, compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, provide information on economic activity in Australia. These accounts make it possible to estimate the size of the arts industry.

Value added by cultural industries

The term value added refers to the value of an industry’s output after deducting the value of goods and services used in producing them. Or, put another way, value added refers to the return received on labour and capital.

Quick arts facts

A summary of quick facts about the arts in Australia

Arts facts compendium

Arts facts is a compendium of short and easy-to-use statistical fact sheets on a range of subjects describing the arts and cultural landscape in Australia.

Copyright and the arts: growth in copyright enquiries

It is not always possible to have up-to-date or current data for statistical purposes. Some Australian Bureau of Statistics surveys are conducted on a regular basis: monthly, annually or every few years. Other major data collections such as the Census of Population and Housing are of a great scale and are only conducted every five years.

Film and video: Australian box office

Total box office receipts in Australia for 2008 were $945.4 million, an increase of 5.6 per cent on the previous year.

Reports and publications

Some Australian arts statistics

Draws on information from several major Australian Bureau of Statistics collections.

Arts bibliography

A bibliography for local councils, universities, students and anyone with an interest in the arts generally. A product of the Local Government Cultural Development Strategy.

Australian arts organisations directory

A comprehensive 26-page directory containing contact details for nearly 200 Australian arts organisations.

Making cross-country comparisons of cultural statistics: problems and solutions

Cross-country comparisons are popular in cultural policy. This paper looks at how cultural statistics are used in the making of such comparisons.The paper documents some of the major problems, in both data production and in data presentation, and provides a 'checklist' of good practice.

Planning for the future

Planning for the future: issues, trends and opportunities for the arts in Australia

This discussion paper was prepared expressly to stimulate thought and discussion about the arts in Australia and about the best means for the Australia Council and other funding bodies to facilitate artistic development in Australia over the next decade

The arts economy: overview

The arts economy: overview

A companion to Hans Hoegh Guldberg's The Arts Economy 1968-1998: Three Decades of Growth in Australia.

The arts economy

The arts economy 1968-1998: three decades of growth in Australia

This major research work gathers together a wide range of statistics and other cultural indicators in an attempt to map the progress of the arts sector in Australia over the last 30 years.

Report to ministers on an examination of the small to medium performing arts sector

In 2002 the Cultural Ministers Council (CMC) released a report which examined the factors influencing the artistic and financial viability of Australia's small-to-medium sized arts organisations.

Securing the future: Major Performing Arts Inquiry final report

In December 1998 the Major Performing Arts Inquiry was established by the Commonwealth Government.

Securing the Future: An assessment of progress 2001-2006

The Securing the Future update is an annual report which tracks Australia’s major performing arts’ (MPA) companies’ progress in the areas of artistic vibrancy, access and financial viability.

Anticipating change in the major performing arts

A new report from the Australia Council for the Arts predicts that major performing arts companies need to keep pace with economic and social trends.

Australians and the arts

Australians and the arts

This report takes on a journey through Australian life by looking at how Australians think and feel about the arts. The report looks deeply into how the arts might play a larger role in our public and personal lives.

Australian and the arts : overview

Australians and the arts: overview

This companion to Australians and the Arts distills the principal findings, strategic issues and recommendations detailed in the full report.

On board: serving on the board of an arts organisation

On board: serving on the board of an arts organisation

Provides brief notes and checklists on four aspects of a board's operations: legal and financial responsibilities, relationship with the CEO, strategic and financial planning, and recruitment and induction of members

Cultural trade background report

In August 2001, the Australia Council made a submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the World Trade Organisation's (WTO) Fourth Trade Policy Review of Australia. This report sets out the context for many of the issues raised in that submission.

On Board: serving on the board of an arts organisation

Effective governance is one of the most important aspects of running a successful arts organisation. But what makes a great board? What are a board’s responsibilities? And how do you attract terrific board members?

Arts policy research

Arts RiPPA is an arts and cultural policy research digest that profiles the range of current and planned research activity in Australia.