Accessible Arts / arts + disability NSW

Marc Carter from Creative Foyer said the arts sector employs almost 500,000 people but when it comes to career development, it’s one of the least resourced industries particularly from the administrative side of arts careers.

“The typically low wages and long hours means the arts industry has to work that much harder to retain existing talent and attract new talent from a young workforce and the commercial sector. The reality is that a marketing manager for Macquarie Bank is always going to earn more than the same role in an arts festival but there are so many other benefits to working in the arts sector that you just wouldn’t get elsewhere. That’s what Creative Foyer aims to promote”, said Marc.

Creative Foyer provides access to job opportunities, professional development support, industrial relations advice as well as access to businesses that specialise in supporting arts workers and organisations. The distinct advantage is that access to Creative Foyer is free with no membership fees or sign up costs.

“No other industry charges people a membership fee to simply view job adverts. This logic makes even less sense when you consider the average salaries paid to arts workers. Creative Foyer first and foremost is about sharing information, not growing profits”, said Marc.  

One example of this commitment to sharing information freely is Creative Foyer’s Creative Talk which is a series of interviews with current arts leaders sharing their experiences and lessons learnt along their career journey. This year’s Helpmann Award winner Natalie Weir, Artistic Director for Expressions Dance Company, is the first arts leader featured in the series and more interviews are currently in development.

“You might undertake an apprenticeship to enter the construction industry or head to university to study teaching but the diversity of positions within the arts sector means there isn’t a typical career path. The Creative Talk series provides a great opportunity to learn from the people who have established prominent careers and continue to be leaders in their chosen arts field”, said Marc.

For further information about Creative Foyer contact Marc Carter at grow@creativefoyer.com.au or visit www.creativefoyer.com.au.