Creative Hotspots' in the regions: Key thematic insights and findings from across Australia: A White Paper from the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage research project Australian Cultural and Creative Activity: A Population and Hotspot Analysis

The Creative Hotspots project, or as it was officially titled Australian Cultural and Creative Activity: A Population and Hotspot Analysis, was an expansive, four-year project funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage grant (LP160101724). This comprehensive national study 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 in March 2020. In total, the project conducted fieldwork in 17 creative and cultural hotspots across five states: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, and South Australia, examining what makes each hotspot “hot”, identifying the dynamics that underpinned their high concentrations of creative and cultural employment and activity. This White Paper outlines the project's findings and outcomes.