Publications

Our team works with cultural institutions, arts organisations and government agencies to conduct research on important issues and evaluate promising programs.

The results are used to improve programs and initiatives, inform funding decisions and contribute new knowledge to the field. Browse selected reports and publications below.

 
 

Dance Sector Uplift

Alessandra McCluskey-Voigt and Tandi Palmer Williams

In 2023, Arts Northern Rivers commissioned Patternmakers to assist with the Dance Sector Uplift project, designed to reactivate dance, physical theatre and experimental performance across the region.

We analysed and compiled the results of artist surveys and consultations with members of the Northern Rivers community into a report in order to inform the direction and outcomes of the project.

Read the report to identify the strengths and challenges, supported with evidence and data, and recommendations on how to plan ahead, to create a vision, and help independent artists realise their creative potential while working collectively within the community.

 

City Lights to Red Dirt

Peta Petrakis and the Patternmakers team

Our cities, suburbs and regions are different places today and audiences are feeling the pressure of the housing crisis, changing work and commuting patterns, navigating weather events and approaching travel and leisure differently.

In this new report, ‘City Lights to Red Dirt’, we look at the geographic trends in data collected from past attendees to cultural events. The report compares audiences in three main geographic areas: big cities, outer suburbs and the regions, providing insights for connecting people with culture where they live and the places they visit.

 

Audiences 2023+

Peta Petrakis, Bianca Mulet and the Patternmakers team

Economic conditions, social changes and conflicting priorities continue to impact audience behaviour in the post-pandemic era.

The Audiences 2023+ report shows that attendance is slowly but surely improving. However, with financial reasons continuing to be the top barrier, spending levels are not increasing in 2023.

Read the report to explore 7 topics around current audience behaviour, presenting the datapoints you need for strategic planning, forecasting attendances, remodelling subscriptions and targeted marketing in 2023 and beyond.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

How rising inflation is impacting audiences

Bianca Mulet and the Patternmakers team

At a time of strained household budgets and rising interest rates, everyone is affected differently.

Our April 2023 Snapshot Report is out now, as part of the Audience Outlook Monitor, exploring how the outlook varies across three key audience segments — and what opportunities exist in times of economic uncertainty.

Spoiler: some are actually spending more than before, while others are actively looking for free/cheap things to do, staying close to home or taking longer to make decisions.

 

Improving the accessibility of live music venues in Melbourne

Tandi Palmer Williams and Holly Davison

In 2022, Patternmakers collaborated with Music Victoria and Morwenna Collett to evaluate a music venue accessibility program in Victoria. The program involved digital and physical audits, training and education, and creation of resources to help music venues identify and prioritise access improvements.

Read the report if you’re interested in the recommendations (whether that be as a venue, a musician or a local government).

With efforts like these, we can move the needle on music participation for Deaf and Disabled artists and audiences. 

 

The Power of Youth Arts

Holly Davison and Tandi Palmer Williams

In 2022, the Patternmakers team collaborated with the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) to discover what the research tells us about the benefits of performing arts participation for children and young people.

We’ve created a research guide that aims to consolidate the wealth of existing research on the benefits of performing arts participation for children and young people, making this evidence-based resource accessible and able to be shared in numerous ways within the sector.

Click below for the 5 key messages we’ve identified about young people and arts, supported by the literature.

 

Report on Creative Industries Recovery Forum Priorities

Tandi Palmer Williams and Holly Davison

In 2022, the Patternmakers team worked with Arts Northern Rivers on a project to assist with creative industries flood recovery.

The Northern Rivers Creative Industries Recovery Forum was held on 28 and 29 July 2022, five months after severe storms and flooding hit communities across Northern NSW and Southern QLD.

Over 200 artists and arts workers gathered in Lismore, NSW, to connect and discuss the question: ‘What’s next in terms of creative industries recovery?’.

Click below to discover the 5 top areas of need, and 6 recommendations for intervention, to ensure the creative industries flourish again after the disaster.

 

Impact Evaluation: Inspiring Australia Queensland, 2017-2021

Holly Davison and Tandi Palmer Williams

In 2022, Patternmakers was commissioned by IAQ to evaluate the reach and impact of the program from 2017 to 2021.

During this period, IAQ invested $144,000 each year to support STEM engagement in the state – with $75,000 devoted to National Science Week.

The evaluation found that there is a strong case for investment in STEM promotion with exciting possibilities evident in terms of education, and industry and regional development.

There is also a need for stronger strategic planning to ensure that the program can overcome challenges of keeping pace on STEM education and job-readiness, and the underrepresentation of women and First Nations people.

 

The community impact of Bundanon Local

Bianca Mulet and Tandi Palmer Williams

In 2019, Bundanon Trust commissioned research agency Patternmakers to work with program staff and stakeholders to evaluate Bundanon Local’s impact and identify opportunities for the future direction of the program.

The data collected in this evaluation confirmed that the program is playing a critical role in facilitating community access to a national treasure. Without it, parts of the Shoalhaven community would miss out on opportunities to visit the site, discover their creative side and engage with professional artists.

 

By young people, for young people: the impact of participation at MCA GENEXT

Jo Higgins, Tandi Palmer Williams, Brooke Boyce and Dr Catherine Davis

In 2018 and 2019, Patternmakers worked with the MCA and its youth committee to evaluate the impact of participation at GENEXT, its flagship event for 12-18 year olds.

The evaluation showed that GENEXT provides a safe space for your people to explore their creativity and their identity, with many reporting positive impacts on their wellbeing.

The research also confirmed the audience development impact of the program, with many past participants going on to become visitors, members and donors at the museum.

The results were reported in the Sydney Morning Herald.

 

Barking Gecko Theatre's Research Report on Gecko Ensembles.

Impact Evaluation of Gecko Ensemble Program

Brooke Boyce and Tandi Palmer Williams

Barking Gecko commissioned Patternmakers to conduct an evaluation of its Gecko Ensemble Program for children and young people in Western Australia.

Based on fieldwork with children, parents and community service providers across the State, the evaluation found that the program is delivering promising impacts for children, particularly those who experience disadvantage.

The results were published in April 2018 and reported in ArtsHub.

 

ATYP commissioned arts research specialists, Patternmakers, for the ATYP special report: Building mental agility through youth theatre, which surveyed more than 1,200 ATYP participants, parents, alumni and other stakeholders. 650 participants responded to questions specifically addressing the short and long-term impacts ATYP had on young people.

Evaluation of youth theatre & mental health

Tandi Palmer Williams and Brooke Boyce

In early 2018, the Australian Theatre for Young People published the Patternmakers research report exploring the impact of youth theatre programs on the well-being of young people.

The report found that 94% reported positive impacts on their overall wellbeing. The findings were published in the media, including the Sydney Morning Herald and 2DayFM, and the story reached an audience of over 7 million people.

 

The final report in our longitudinal study of audience responses to Road Work tours. Study conducted by Patternmakers and Performing Lines.

Impacts of contemporary theatre for regional audiences

Tandi Palmer Williams

From 2015 to 2018, Patternmakers worked with producing company Performing Lines to measure the intrinsic impacts of contemporary theatre shows on audiences.

The project involved collaboration with 15 venues in regional Australia. Surveys were administered in the foyer immediately following the show, using the WolfBrown Intrinsic Impact tools.

The results were launched at the Australian Performing Arts Centres Association Conference in 2016.

 

A detailed report on the second phase of the Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator program run by Performing Lines.

Indigenous Community Engagement: Evaluation of Coordination Role

Denise Wilson and Tandi Palmer Williams

Our team worked with Performing Lines to evaluate a pilot of a new Indigenous Community Engagement Coordinator position, designed to help touring theatre productions connect with local Indigenous communities.

We worked collaboratively with Gamilaroi woman Denise Wilson to gather feedback from regional stakeholders and produce a case study to share the outcomes and lessons from the pilot.