The Creative Hotspots project investigated the contemporary dynamics of cultural and creative activity in largely regional and non-capital cities and towns across Australia before the outbreak of COVID-19. The study brought together population-level and comparative quantitative and qualitative analyses of local cultural and creative activity with the aim of identifying what makes creative hotspots ‘hot’, that is, dynamic and growing.

In the qualitative component of the project, researchers conducted 455 fieldwork interviews in 17 creative hotspots across five states: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia.

This white paper presents summary insights against each of five themes identified through fieldwork:

1. The creative ecosystem
2. Allied industries
3. The role of government and councils
4. Digital skills
5. Indigenous creative enterprise