ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY
WHAT WE FOUND
Australia has a large number of LGAs with all
forms of artists living in their areas although many
are below the national average. This implies that
within the LGAs the individuals that self-identify
themselves as an artist tend to co-reside with
individuals of similar and/or same traits, albeit not
necessarily at relative levels of critical mass. Our
results also showed there are 138 LGAs (from
a sample of 545) across all states that have no
(self-identified) artists living in their area. This
implies that at least one-quarter of LGA are likely
to be importers of artistic production (if indeed it is
occurring at all).
Importantly, nearly 75% of LGAs across Australia
have artists living within their constituency.
However, where they locate is distinct according
to the numerical size of the concentrations and the
number of types of artistic occupations that are
co-locating. Some LGAs are characterised by a
small number of artist types co-locating en-masse.
That is, they have a few types of artists residing in
proportions above the national average. A handful
of LGAs are notable for their high concentration of
(nearly) all artist types.
DISTRIBUTION OF ARTISTS ACROSS
THE STATES AND THE NORTHERN
TERRITORY
Not surprisingly, when we examine state level
data, similarities between the states were evident.
Amalgamating the above five classifications, we
redefine areas to be disadvantaged in terms of
artistic capital (combined group one and two),
advantaged (combined three and four) and leaders.
The charts below presents the percentage each
state (as well as the Northern Territory) has of the
three reclassifications.
Disadvantaged – % of LGAs within each state
with little or no Artists residing
South Australia Northern Territory
Queensland Western Australia
Victoria Tasmania
New South Wales
Source: de Silva et al. (2018) 3
Advantaged – % of LGAs within each state with
some types Artists residing
Importantly, nearly 75% of LGAs
across Australia have artists
living within their constituency.
However, where they locate is
distinct according to the numerical
size of the concentrations and
the number of types of artistic
occupations that are co-locating.
South Australia Northern Territory
Queensland Western Australia
Victoria Tasmania
New South Wales
Source: de Silva et al. (2018) 4
VOL.12 NO.1 2019 | 11