Northern Rivers Creative

Arts Northern Rivers have officially launched a premier online directory, Northern Rivers Creative. The platform is built to increase professional opportunities for creatives by connecting them to local and global markets.

The arts and creative industries play an integral role in shaping Australia’s culture and society. However, the viability of this industry depends on the capacity of creatives to find, sustain and access ongoing, paid work throughout their careers.

With the highest concentration of creatives outside of metropolitan areas, the Northern Rivers is home to some of the most diverse, vibrant arts communities in Australia. In 2017, one in six professional Australian artists lived in regional cities or towns, and around one in 10 lived in rural, remote or very remote areas (1). Artists living in regional areas also earn almost a third less than their city counterparts for creative work (1).

“We are excited to be launching such an important resource for the creative industries of the Northern Rivers. The creative sector in our region is a significant economic driver, and we are committed to supporting its growth and sustainability through this opportunity,” Arts Northern Rivers’ Executive Director, Peter Wood

Via online artist portfolios, Northern Rivers Creative combats geographical, socio-economic and cultural barriers inhibiting emerging and established creatives from accessing national and international audiences. The resource will provide artistic excellence to potential markets while offering viable, sustainable work opportunities and professional development for our growing creative community. Northern Rivers Creative celebrates the region’s thriving creative diversity, featuring a range of categories including creative services, visual arts, design, Indigenous arts, literature, music, performance and screen.

Establishing Northern Rivers Creative in 2011, Arts Northern Rivers chose to redevelop the directory as a strategic effort to build a viable ecosystem; keeping creatives at home without having to seek greener pastures in urban cities. As the peak arts organisation for the region, Arts Northern Rivers deliver services and projects that foster artistic innovation and excellence and work to ensure access and engagement with arts and cultural activity.

Northern Rivers Creative is supported by Arts Northern Rivers’ contributing local councils and funding partners, Create NSW and Department of Communication and the Arts.

 

1. Australia Council of Arts – https://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/research/regional-arts-summary/