Bold and inspirational
As a creative city, Melbourne will allow and encourage daring and initiative. Indigenous history and culture will be embraced and we will celebrate freedom while building upon long-standing heritage and culture. Melbourne will inspire experimentation and innovation 1. We will be bold and inspirational, fostering uniqueness and invention and our leadership will shine with creativity and courage. A creative city a vibrant and thriving creative base, and emerging artists, communities and businesses are nurtured. Individuals and organisations are free to innovate and the arts and cultural sectors thrive, with new artists and new mediums constantly emerging. Boldness is rewarded. New art forms and performers enhance a creative city's high-profile international arts reputation. Strong links and synergies between creative communities and the commercial world contribute to a vibrant community and economic growth. A creative city's philanthropic sector includes motivated corporations and individuals looking for opportunities to contribute to their community. Networks of learning and ideas connect Melbourne to the world, encouraging global interest and involvement in our festivals, arts and culture. We will continue to embrace and celebrate our rich cultural diversity and promote tolerance and inclusiveness creating opportunities for all. Prosperity can be gained through marketing Melbourne's creative industries to national and international audiences. Melbourne's creative city strategy will recognise the importance of risk-taking, experimentation and the need to accommodate sometimes unpopular or unsuccessful activities in order to cultivate the city's reputation for creativity. International students, businesses and tourists visit, live, work, invest and play in Melbourne. The Municipality's sporting events continue to enhance our international reputation and we seize opportunities to explore new trends and markets. Melbourne will continue to lead through its bold projects and world-firsts. Our leadership will inspire other city institutions and corporations to experiment. Goals to be a creative city:2. Vibrant, creative community
3. Celebrating diversity
4. Prosperity through creativity
Resources
- Cultural Melbourne - A Commentary: To help the City of Melbourne develop Future Melbourne, academics with expertise in cultural fields were asked to comment on key initiatives for cultural development. .
1. Creative risk-taking
Melbourne as a creative city will take risks to break new ground. We will be bold and inspirational in our encouragement of the creative and the enterprising. We will fuel the imagination of all. Creativity is an important tool in any endeavour, be it artistic, business, social, educational or even political. Creative thinking is a powerful tool, involving the new, the unknown and the challenging. We need to embrace creativity, and use its power to inspire, to generate ideas and to evolve.Creativity often involves risk-taking, making it a bold approach to change. As a creative city, we must demonstrate a willingness to invest in idea development, even when those ideas may threaten our ‘established order’. We shouldn’t be afraid to try new things or be constrained by a fear of failure, because if they work, we become successful, innovative leaders – bold and inspiring. Failure is a valuable learning experience.
The City of Melbourne’s CH2 building is a prime example of creative, bold and inspirational thinking, of risk taking and leadership. One of the world’s most sustainable buildings, the construction of CH2 posed many challenges requiring creative solutions. Today, CH2 represents the very best in sustainable design, and has inspired architects and organisations around the world to strive for excellence in their own building designs. A creative city fosters this innovation and boldness.
All people are creative when placed in environments where creativity is welcome – and this is what Melbourne will be. We should be courageous in our approach to public life, and should not be afraid to use humour to engage with our community. Our city should also nurture creative partnerships, bringing artists and innovators together with business and other enterprises.
| Goals | Indicators | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulating and inspiring city culture Bold and unorthodox ideas are stimulated and embraced. |
Change in the number of knowledge workers in creative industries. Current: indicator to be developed. |
Creative thought, unorthodoxy, boldness and innovation are encouraged in artistic, business, social, educational and political spheres. Possible projects include a creativity index for buildings, and regular design competitions for public infrastructure and open space projects.
|
| Creative risk-taking An inspirational culture of constructive risk-taking and innovation. |
High survival rates and high start-up rates in creative sector small-to-medium enterprises. Current: indicator to be developed. |
Melbourne is a leader, recognising that a vibrant future is closely linked with stimulating creative thought, and encouraging bold and innovative action across all sectors. Innovation through creative risk-taking grows as 'fear of failure' no longer constrains new thinking. Creative risk-taking activity is valued, encouraged and rewarded. Creative community projects and public performances abound. New experimental artists are encouraged.
|
Indicators
- Web voting on various events.
- Online review of performances.
- Token rating system (tokens are left by viewers at the end of each performance).
See also
- Socialdesign.com
- Sustainable everyday.net
- Futurecanvas.org
- De Bono, E. (2005) The Six Value Medals. Random House; Sydney.
- Esterni.org .
2. Vibrant, creative community
Artistic and cultural life will be integral to Melbourne as a creative city. In our creative city of the future, ideas-driven industries, groups and individuals will be interwoven: sharing, inspiring and creating together. Local groups and individuals will be drawn to our many creative endeavours, making a vibrant, creative community. Melbourne is already a national and international leader in creative endeavours such as music, performing and visual arts; film, television and radio; writing, publishing and print media; design and architecture; software and electronic gaming, web and multimedia development; and advertising and marketing. The flip side is that most artists and arts organisations regularly deal with financial hardship in the city. Few artists or arts organisations receive long-term funding, or enjoy the ‘luxury’ of a regular income, and most operate with varying degrees of insecurity about the future. Emerging artists and art forms suffer most, as their support is limited until they gain mainstream acceptance. Innovative cultural infrastructure, partnership approaches and resource sharing could all help support and strengthen the creative sector. Increasing costs and competition for inner-city accommodation is another challenge that must be dealt with as the city strives to become a more vibrant, creative community. If artists are driven out of the city, they’ll set up elsewhere and Melbourne will miss out on the wonderful possibilities that can emerge through artistic connections and collaborations.To be a creative city, Melbourne must draw in 'ideas people' who will share and learn and teach – not 'push them out' financially. We must work together to ensure artists can afford to live and work in the Municipality, as well as access space to create and exhibit. Artists contribute to Melbourne's vibrancy, and their presence enriches all of our lives.
| Goals | Indicators | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Artistic creativity and cultural innovation Melbourne is and has an international profile as a vibrant creative city.
|
City users' perception of creativity, experimentation and risk taking in the Melbourne context. Current: indicator to be developed. Audit results of publicly accessible art in Melbourne, either as part of a program or contained in collections and heritage assets. Current: indicator to be developed. Creative industries employment and floor space occupancy. Current: 2006 - 4,964 people were employed in arts and culture services within the municipality. 2 |
Melbourne's strength in traditional and emerging creative industries has grown and is recognised globally. More art exists in the public domain, including public art, street art and works of a temporary and permanent nature. A greater number and range of free arts activities are available and accessible for workers, residents and visitors. |
| Philanthropy, business and government support the arts Strategic investment, synergies and efficiencies in the delivery of the arts are achieved through stronger collaboration and partnerships. |
Levels and type of arts funding from Australian, Victorian and local governments, philanthropic and business sectors. Current: indicator to be developed. |
Strategic investment, partnerships and collaboration in the arts by government, business and the community. Successful and efficient delivery of key arts and community projects, and community cultural development. |
| Grow Melbourne 's creative profile Investment in innovative infrastructure and collaborative partnering and resource sharing. |
Spatial distribution and type of cultural facilities, including number of seats as a ratio to total population and children. Current: indicator to be developed. Quantity of free and reduced-price tickets at cultural venues and programs. Current: indicator to be developed. Audit results of access to cultural facilities for people with disabilities. Current: indicator to be developed. |
Multidisciplinary arts and culture projects are delivered in partnership. Stronger arts precincts. More international festivals, major arts and cultural events; new innovative and flexible spaces for the arts. Investment in the arts sector, leading to growth in visitation and revenue. |
| Enhanced creative industry learning and education Stronger links between arts research and educational institutions and business, industry and government.
|
Students in degree-granting schools of visual and performing arts in metropolitan Melbourne. Current: indicator to be developed. |
Melburnians' capability and passion for ideas, debate and innovation is heightened. Arts research and educational institutions collaborate with business, industry and government to strengthen the city's arts and creative sectors. |
| Affordable and creative spaces for artists More affordable and flexible spaces attract the arts and creative activity.
|
Quantity, area and type of affordable and subsidised spaces for cultural production. Current: indicator to be developed. Number of enquiries handled regarding all aspects of housing the arts. Current: indicator to be developed.
|
Growth in arts and cultural activities; more affordable, flexible and creative spaces including a 'creative' industries incubator. |
See also
- Throsby, D. and Hollister, V. (2003) Don't give up your day job: an economic study of professional artists in Australia. The Australia Council for the Arts; Canberra.
- ArtLook and[[http://www.arts.vic.gov.au/arts/publications/artscount/acount.htm][Arts Count]
- Melbourne City Council (2007) Arts Grants Program 2008
- Public Art Program .
3. Celebrating diversity
As a creative city, Melbourne will celebrate its diversity. Melbourne will build communities in which difference is valued and respect and tolerance are paramount. Melbourne will find connections with one another through our differences as well as our similarities. Our diversity will drive innovation and prosperity. The depth and diversity of Melbourne's cultural life is one of our city’s greatest strengths. Our cultural life includes:- Indigenous culture, both traditional and contemporary
- a rich ethnic diversity that brings all cultures together with confidence, but that also protects unique cultural traditions and customs
- significant groups of people at different life-stages, including children, young people and older people
- communities formed by geographic area, spirituality, sexuality, gender, politics, sport, recreation, arts, entertainment or other allegiances, that ‘cross-pollinate’ with ease.
| Goals | Indicators | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Valuing cultural diversity, Diversity, tolerance, respect, equity, harmony and inclusiveness are promoted and supported. |
Our municipality's views on how cultural diversity is exhibited in Melbourne Current: 2007 - 93.2 per cent of Melburnians 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' that cultural diversity is a good thing for a society 3
|
Diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness are inherent in city life; widespread community and cultural engagement enhances city life for all. |
| Melbourne's uniqueness Consensus on how we understand, appreciate and communicate Melbourne's uniqueness and identity. |
Perceptions of satisfaction with Melbourne's cultural life and diversity Current: indicator to be developed
|
The city community is integrated, strong and collaborative. |
| Vibrant Indigenous art and culture Indigenous history, heritage and contemporary culture are celebrated and enjoyed. |
The number of events which promote Indigenous art Current: indicator to be developed Public awareness of Indigenous history of Melbourne Number and value of grants to local Indigenous artists in the municipality Current: indicator to be developed |
Indigenous culture, local and Australian designers, artists and local products, particularly those from south-eastern Australia, are supported, promoted and exhibited in the municipality. |
4. Prosperity through creativity
As a creative city, Melbourne will build creativity for success. We will attract people and investment, generating multiple benefits for our people, including social, economic and environmental prosperity. Building on Melbourne's strengths and finding new ways to leverage creativity are priorities for our city. Creativity, and the capacity of a city to attract and retain a creative workforce, are key drivers of 21st century economic success. A successful modern city must attract creative people, and must find places for them in the commercial and business worlds. Creative people will generate new inventions and world-class products. In Melbourne, investment to support creative people and creative ventures is essential. Amid growing global interest in creativity and attempts to describe the rise of a new 'creative class', the definition of the creative workforce is expanding to include people employed in industries such as computing, engineering, architecture, business, education, retail and dining - as well as the more traditional arts and media-related industries. Creativity may sit latent within a community, waiting to be uncovered. In Melbourne (and around the globe), new modes of communication and expression will be explored to enable us to engage with the broadest possible cross-section of people. In Melbourne, we need a creative city strategy to investigate how national and international positioning of Melbourne's creative industries can create prosperity. This strategy could consider the importance of risk-taking, experimentation and boldness in nurturing the city's creativity. The strategy could facilitate the sharing of ideas and opportunities, locally and around the globe. Melbourne's creative city strategy could incorporate an understanding of continuums and interrelationships in creativity. For example, much grassroots creative activity is driven by personal and cultural passion without regard for commercial outcomes. However, this creative activity - and how we encourage and support it - is essential to the Melbourne's reputation and the success of our creative industries. Melbourne's success as a creative city depends upon how we mobilise ideas, debate, networking and learning, and how we incorporate these as recognisable and on-going characteristics of our city.| Goals | Indicators | Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| A thriving creative economy A strong and growing creative economy and workforce. |
The number of arts organisations located in the city and their rate of employment. Current: In 2006, 162 establishments were providing arts and culture services within the municipality, and 4,964 people were employed in arts and culture services.4 |
A city that is attractive to a creative and skilled workforce and a thriving knowledge economy that encompasses traditional creative industries; design and architecture; new media; as well as in retail and food experiences. Strong cross-sector partnerships and networks across the city; generation of new inventions and world class products. An increased capacity to attract and retain a creative workforce |
| Global recognition of Melbourne's creativity Melbourne's specific creative and innovative strengths are promoted globally. |
Rating in the Monocle - Top 20 Cities. Current. In 2008, Melbourne was rated ninth. 5 |
A global brand promoting Melbourne's specific strengths in creative industries. An increase in visitors to, and investment in the city. |
| A city community engaged in creativity Enhanced creative capacity and new opportunities for creative development and engagement in city life. |
Participation in arts and culture activities (painting, drawing, art and craft, playing musical instruments, singing, writing, performing and so on). Current: 58 per cent of City of Melbourne residents participated in at least one artistic/cultural activity in the surveyed month. 6 |
Increased participation in creative activities; providing opportunities for personal growth and the development of talent, further developing the depth and breadth of our creative industries. People are actively engaged in decision making and children are empowered as citizens of the future. |
Indicators
Relevant global city ranking
- Monocle – Top 20 Cities
- Richard Florida Creative Index .
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