Artistic Vibrancy
Every artist and arts organisation has artistic vibrancy in their sights. But what is artistic vibrancy, and how do you measure it?
The Australia Council for the Arts has become one of the world’s first funding agencies to tackle the issue of how to measure the artistic vibrancy of the companies it funds.
Sustainability has been a strong focus for Australia’s major arts organisations and this focus is still important. But for these organisations and their artforms to continue to develop, it’s time for a new conversation. A conversation about artistic vibrancy.
Earlier this year, the Australia Council published a series of papers and resources to stimulate debate around artistic vibrancy. It also developed a practical Artistic Reflection Kit which arts organisations can use to evaluate their own artistic performance.
The kit includes a unique audience survey which focuses on the intrinsic impact of live performances on audiences and goes beyond testing loyalty and satisfaction indicators. This is a first in Australia.
Further resources for companies to evaluate their artistic vibrancy will be released later this month, following trials by the State Theatre Company of South Australia and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Opinion pieces on artistic vibrancy
The Australia Council has commissioned a series of discussion papers by industry leaders in theatre, dance, opera and the orchestral sector. The papers, often controversial, provide informed views of the “artistic vibrancy” of their artform sector.
These are the opinions of the writers, what is yours? (Tweet, Facebook, or email us...)
Australian Orchestras – The State of Play
by Marshall McGuire
Marshall McGuire, Executive Manager of Artistic Planning at the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, takes the artistic pulse of the Australian orchestral sector by reflecting on five keystones that could make this artform more vibrant.
Shake it up
By Chris Mead
Australia’s theatre sector is described as lively, glorious, messy, idiosyncratic and even world class. But is it vibrant? Chris Mead from Playwrighting Australia says yes and no...
View the opinion piece
Some Thoughts on Heritage
By Dr Richard Mills AM
Does ‘new’ mean ‘innovative’? Dr Richard Mills AM, Artistic Director of West Australian Opera, talks age and opera as he reflects on the value of heritage in the arts.
View the opinion piece
Artistic Vibrancy in the MPA Dance companies
By Lee Christofis
The five major dance companies have long, proud histories and a sense they are here to stay. But has the sector lost its reputation for drive, originality and experimentation? Lee Christofis, Curator of Dance at the National Library of Australia, weighs in on the cost of innovation as he reflects on artistic vibrancy in the dance sector.
Participate in the discussion: leave a comment below or on each of the opinion piece pages
Contact us
For more information please get in touch with:Kevin du Preez, Project Manager
k.dupreez@australiacouncil.gov.au
Telephone: +61 (0)2 9215 9015
Artistic vibrancy resources
These resources provide meaningful ways to evaluate artistic impact which goes beyond box ticking:
Defining artistic vibrancy: a discussion paper
'Tell me honestly…': good practice case studies of artistic self-assessment in performing arts organisations
Artistic Reflection Kit: a guide to assist organisations to reflect on artistic vibrancy
Meaningful measurement: a review of the literature about measuring artistic vibrancy.
We are currently testing the artistic vibrancy resources with two organisations.
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra
The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is implementing an intrinsic audience impact survey, surveying artists, facilitating a peer panel at several concerts. They are also completing an international benchmarking activity, surveying their orchestra members and holding a focus group with their community.
State Theatre Company of South Australia
State Theatre Company of South Australia is taking part in the testing by implementing peer panel discussions, surveying their artists and their audience to measure the intrinsic impact of their productions. They are also evaluating their relevance to their broader community by holding a focus group.
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