Tips for Supporting Local Australian Artists and Performers
Australia boasts a wealth of talented artists and performers, contributing significantly to our cultural identity. However, making a living in the arts can be challenging. By actively supporting local talent, you're not just enjoying great entertainment; you're investing in the future of Australian creativity. This article provides practical tips on how you can contribute to a thriving arts community.
1. Attending Local Shows and Performances
The most direct way to support artists is by attending their shows and performances. This provides them with income, exposure, and the encouragement they need to continue creating.
Finding Local Events
Local Councils and Arts Organisations: Check your local council's website or social media pages for listings of events, festivals, and performances in your area. Many councils actively promote local artists and provide funding for arts initiatives.
Community Centres and Theatres: Keep an eye on the schedules of community centres, small theatres, and independent venues. These spaces often host emerging and established local artists.
Online Event Platforms: Websites like Eventbrite, Moshtix, and others often feature a wide range of local events, including music gigs, theatre productions, comedy shows, and art exhibitions. Filter your search to find events happening near you.
Word of Mouth: Talk to friends, family, and colleagues about local events they've attended or heard about. Personal recommendations can be a great way to discover new artists and performances.
Making the Most of the Experience
Arrive Early: Arriving early not only secures you a good spot but also allows you to soak in the atmosphere and potentially chat with the artists or other attendees.
Engage with the Performance: Put your phone away and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Show your appreciation by clapping, cheering, and being an attentive audience member.
Stay Afterwards: If possible, stick around after the performance to chat with the artists, buy merchandise, or simply offer your congratulations. This personal interaction can be incredibly valuable for them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Only Attending Big-Name Shows: While supporting established artists is important, don't neglect the smaller, local acts. They often need your support even more.
Being Distracted During the Performance: Constantly checking your phone or talking loudly can be disruptive to both the artists and other audience members.
Not Giving Feedback: Even a simple "thank you" or "that was great" can make a big difference to an artist's morale.
2. Buying Merchandise and Music Directly from Artists
Purchasing merchandise and music directly from artists is another fantastic way to provide financial support and show your appreciation. This ensures that a larger portion of the revenue goes directly to the artist, rather than being split with intermediaries.
Where to Buy
At Shows and Performances: Many artists sell merchandise at their shows, including CDs, vinyl records, t-shirts, posters, and other items. This is a great opportunity to meet the artist and get a signed copy of their work.
Online Marketplaces: Platforms like Bandcamp, Etsy, and Redbubble allow artists to sell their merchandise directly to fans. Look for artists based in Australia to ensure your money is supporting the local scene.
Artist Websites: Many artists have their own websites where they sell merchandise and music. This is often the most direct way to support them financially.
Record Stores: Support local record stores that stock music by Australian artists. This helps both the artists and the local business community.
What to Buy
Music: Purchase digital downloads, CDs, or vinyl records of your favourite artists' music. Consider buying their entire discography to show your support.
Merchandise: Buy t-shirts, posters, stickers, or other merchandise featuring the artist's logo or artwork. This is a great way to promote their work and show your fandom.
Artwork: If the artist is also a visual artist, consider purchasing prints, paintings, or sculptures. This is a unique way to support their creativity and add to your own art collection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Buying Counterfeit Merchandise: Be wary of buying merchandise from unofficial sources, as this may be counterfeit and not benefit the artist.
Streaming Music Without Paying: While streaming services are convenient, they often pay artists very little. Consider purchasing music outright to provide more substantial support.
Not Sharing Your Purchases: Show off your new merchandise on social media and tag the artist to help promote their work.
3. Following and Sharing Their Work on Social Media
In today's digital age, social media is a powerful tool for artists to connect with fans and promote their work. By following and sharing their content, you can help them reach a wider audience and build their online presence.
How to Engage
Follow Them: Follow your favourite local artists on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. This will ensure that you see their latest updates and content.
Like and Comment: Engage with their posts by liking, commenting, and sharing them with your followers. Positive comments can be especially encouraging for artists.
Share Their Content: Share their music, videos, artwork, and event announcements with your own network. This is a simple but effective way to help them reach a wider audience.
Use Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags when sharing their content to help it get discovered by new fans. Some popular hashtags for Australian artists include #AustralianMusic, #AusMusic, #SupportLocalArtists, and #AustralianArt.
Creating Your Own Content
Post About Their Shows: If you attend one of their shows, post photos or videos on social media and tag the artist. This is a great way to promote their work and share your experience with others.
Review Their Music or Artwork: Write a review of their music or artwork on your blog or social media page. Be honest and constructive, and highlight what you enjoyed about their work.
Create Fan Art: If you're a creative person yourself, consider creating fan art inspired by their work. This is a fun and unique way to show your appreciation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Being a Passive Follower: Simply following an artist without engaging with their content is not very helpful. Make an effort to like, comment, and share their posts.
Posting Negative Comments: Constructive criticism is fine, but avoid posting negative or hateful comments that could discourage the artist.
Not Tagging the Artist: Make sure to tag the artist in your posts so they can see your support and engage with you.
4. Leaving Reviews and Testimonials
Positive reviews and testimonials can be incredibly valuable for artists, helping them attract new fans and gain recognition. Take the time to write a review or testimonial for your favourite local artists.
Where to Leave Reviews
Online Review Sites: Leave reviews on platforms like Google Reviews, Yelp, and TripAdvisor. These sites are often used by people looking for local businesses and attractions.
Artist Websites: Many artists have a testimonials section on their website where you can submit your feedback.
Social Media: Post a review on your social media page and tag the artist. This will allow your followers to see your recommendation.
Music Streaming Platforms: Some music streaming platforms allow you to leave reviews or ratings for songs and albums.
What to Include in Your Review
Be Specific: Provide specific details about what you enjoyed about the artist's work. For example, mention a particular song that you loved or a performance that stood out.
Be Honest: Be honest in your review, but focus on the positive aspects of the artist's work. If you have any criticisms, be constructive and respectful.
Be Personal: Share your personal experience of the artist's work. How did it make you feel? What did you learn from it?
Be Concise: Keep your review concise and easy to read. A few well-chosen sentences can be more effective than a long, rambling paragraph.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Writing a Generic Review: Avoid writing a generic review that could apply to any artist. Be specific and highlight what makes this artist unique.
Being Overly Critical: Focus on the positive aspects of the artist's work and avoid being overly critical or negative.
Not Proofreading Your Review: Before submitting your review, proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.
5. Donating to Local Arts Organisations
Supporting local arts organisations is a great way to contribute to the overall health of the arts community. These organisations often provide funding, resources, and opportunities for local artists.
Finding Organisations to Support
Local Councils: Many local councils have arts funding programs that support local artists and organisations. Check your council's website for more information.
State Arts Agencies: State arts agencies, such as Create NSW, Creative Victoria, and Arts Queensland, provide funding and support for arts organisations across the state.
National Arts Organisations: National arts organisations, such as the Australia Council for the Arts, provide funding and support for arts organisations across the country.
Independent Arts Organisations: There are many independent arts organisations that support local artists in specific genres or communities. Do some research to find organisations that align with your interests.
Ways to Donate
Direct Donations: Make a direct donation to the organisation of your choice. Many organisations have online donation platforms that make it easy to give.
Membership: Become a member of the organisation. Membership often comes with benefits such as discounts on events and access to exclusive content.
Sponsorship: Sponsor a specific program or event. This is a great way to support a cause that you're passionate about.
Bequests: Include the organisation in your will. This is a way to make a lasting impact on the arts community.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Researching the Organisation: Before donating, do some research to make sure the organisation is reputable and aligned with your values.
Donating Without a Budget: Make sure you can afford to donate without putting yourself in financial hardship.
Not Claiming Your Donation: Many arts organisations are registered charities, so your donation may be tax-deductible. Be sure to claim your donation on your tax return.
6. Volunteering at Local Events and Festivals
Volunteering at local events and festivals is a great way to support the arts community and get involved in your local community. Volunteers are often needed to help with tasks such as setting up, staffing information booths, and assisting with performances.
Finding Volunteer Opportunities
Local Councils: Many local councils have volunteer programs that support local events and festivals. Check your council's website for more information.
Arts Organisations: Arts organisations often need volunteers to help with their events and programs. Contact organisations that you're interested in to see if they have any volunteer opportunities.
Event Websites: Check the websites of local events and festivals for information about volunteering.
Volunteer Websites: Websites like GoVolunteer list volunteer opportunities across Australia.
What to Expect as a Volunteer
Training: You may need to attend a training session before you can volunteer.
Tasks: You may be assigned a variety of tasks, such as setting up, staffing information booths, assisting with performances, and cleaning up.
Commitment: You may need to commit to a certain number of hours or days of volunteering.
Benefits: You may receive benefits such as free admission to the event, a t-shirt, and meals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not Committing to Your Shifts: Once you've committed to a volunteer shift, make sure you show up on time and fulfill your responsibilities.
Being Unreliable: Be reliable and dependable. If you can't make your shift, let the organisers know as soon as possible.
- Not Following Instructions: Follow the instructions of the event organisers and be respectful of their decisions.
By following these tips, you can make a real difference in the lives of local Australian artists and performers. Your support will help them continue creating and enriching our cultural landscape. Remember to check out Runshow for more information on local events and performers. You can also learn more about Runshow and what we offer to support the arts community. And if you have any questions, please refer to our frequently asked questions.