Why should I get involved?
Or, why should I spend an hour of my time contributing to this study?
HOW TO SUBMIT THE SURVEY
Send your completed survey as an email attachment to creativeworkforce@curtin.edu.au.
Don't forget to SAVE TO YOUR DESKTOP as you go along. Adobe Acrobat users can press the Submit Survey button, located on page 24 of the survey, to submit the PDF automatically as an email attachment. If you would prefer to print out the survey we are more than happy to provide a reply paid envelope. You can also request a hard copy of the survey to be mailed to you together with a postage paid return envelope. Please contact creativeworkforce@curtin.edu.au or call +61 8 9266 4747.
As researchers committed to developing a strong future for the arts, we are striving to bridge the gap between artists and policy makers by developing a clearer understanding of artists’ work and their critical role in society. To achieve this, we are collaborating with artists in Perth, Vancouver and Glasgow.
Your experience is important and unique. Whatever form your arts practice takes, we would like to hear your story. In this survey you will find a significant number of open-ended questions that enable you to express your experience in your own words. We have also included close-ended questions that speed up the completion process.
We acknowledge that you are busy and we very much value your time and expertise. You can download the survey to your hard-drive to complete as time permits. We can also send you a hard copy.
We hope that the results will raise the visibility of the arts and increase understanding in a number of key areas. We plan a range of dissemination strategies including books on arts work featuring artists’ stories from each of the three cities. We also hope that for the next study phase we will be in a position to reward both artists and researchers for their time and expertise. We are fortunate to have the support of the Committee for Perth, and we have a number of prizes from local businesses. We hope that you will consider being in the draw for these prizes.
Research background
This survey is the first step of a multi-phase study that seeks to increase understanding of artists’ careers. We define an artist or cultural/creative worker as someone who engages in a cultural occupation and self-defines as an artist. This is consistent with the indicators adopted by leading creative worker studies. The survey will gather stories and data about the impact and community value of the arts, and about the wide-ranging skills, knowledge and activities of artists.
The research will provide new insights into the working lives of artists:
- What is the provision of creative artists?
- What do artists do, and why?
- What barriers and opportunities impact artists’ practice?
- How can artists be supported to maximise their creative potential?
- How relevant is the current provision of education and training to the practice of artists?
- What strategies can be implemented to provide more affordable housing, access to creative work, and rehearsal and other working space?
What does participation involve?
Participation involves the completion of a survey, which will take approximately fifty minutes. Participation is voluntary, and participants may withdraw from the study at any time.
Confidentiality
Your responses are completely confidential and anonymous. This means that they cannot be traced back to you. Survey data will be stored in a locked cabinet, and access is restricted to the research team.
Publication of results
The results of this study will be made available to participants and industry groups, and will be drawn upon for academic and non-academic publications and presentations.
Questions?
Please direct general queries about this study to Dr Dawn Bennett at d.bennett@curtin.edu.au or on 9266 4482. If you have any queries or complaints about the ethics of this study please contact the Secretary, Human Research Ethics Committee on 9266 2784, at hrec@curtin.edu.au or at c/- Office of research and Development, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth WA 6845.
