Aussie artists are in a struggle for survival. The first punch was Covid and now the country’s rolling cost-of-living crisis has pushed consumers to pull back their entertainment spend on everything from music festivals and comedy gigs to live theatre and cinemas. Brisbane Arts Theatre executive director Blake Young feels the sting of retreating audiences every month.
“The business side of the arts has always been incredibly difficult and it’s just making that harder,” he told NewsWire. “When we opened up again from Covid, things bounced back a bit but they have never returned to pre-Covid levels. “With our theatre company we’ve got certain programs we do each year that have a consistently good attendance base.
“But those certain things that were reliable are now less reliable. “We are absolutely re-evaluating our business.” New research from comparison website Finder, exclusively shared with NewsWire, shows a dramatic spending slump on artistic experiences in 2024.
Some 24 per cent of Australians have avoided live theatre, the data shows, while 36 per cent have passed up a concert, 27 per cent have skipped a music festival and 22 per cent have missed a comedy show. “Declining disposable incomes is to blame, with Aussie households having to prioritise food and electricity over arts and entertainment,” Finder money expert Rebecca Pike said. “The cost of music and comedy shows can be quite cost prohibitive when you’re struggling to pay your mortgage.
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