Arts, Culture & Recreation

Strategy Development for the Arts

Arts and culture infrastructure, organisations and programmes operate in a complex and ever-evolving environment.

Digital disruption, changing audience expectations, diversity imperatives and other sector trends offer opportunities as well as challenges.

Sapere can provide credible, informed analysis of the arts industry to assist with making better strategic choices.

What we do

Sapere works with government agencies and sector bodies, providing independent analysis and advice to the arts and culture sector.

We help to develop impactful and sustainable infrastructure, organisations and programmes fostering arts, culture and creative industries.

Our services include strategy development, business case development, financial and economic analysis, programme evaluation, sector analysis and more.

Examples of our work in arts and culture

Program Logic Mapping for creative infrastructure projects for Create NSW
Research and analysis on competition-related issues in NZ’s media system, with a particular focus on the market for news and public interest journalism
Business case development support, cost-benefit analysis and financial analysis for major creative infrastructure proposals for Create NSW
External evaluation of Co-Curious’ Stories from Another Australia writer development programme
Evaluation of the NZ Screen Production Grant, for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Economic impact and growth potential of the NZ interactive media industry, for NZ Tech.

Sapere brings impartial analysis and strategic development to create sustainable infrastructure to the vibrant world of the arts, culture, and creative industries.

Key contacts

Matt Balmford

Director
MELBOURNE
mbalmford@thinkSapere.com

David Graham

Managing Director
MELBOURNE
dgraham@thinkSapere.com

Sally Carrick

Director
MELBOURNE
scarrick@thinkSapere.com

John Wallace

Director
CANBERRA
jwallace@thinkSapere.com

William Li

Principal
MELBOURNE
wli@thinkSapere.com

Some of our recent articles of interest

Staff spotlight – Sue Friend

This month we spotlight Sue Friend, a Managing Director in our Forensics team. Sue shares her love of the outdoors and hiking and finds this brings balance to her work at Sapere.

Thinking about utility customer engagement

In this article Dr Richard Tooth examines developments in how regulated utilities engage with their customers, the problem of uninformed respondent bias and other issues.

Sunset review of the regulations for Victorian private health service establishments

Client: Victorian Department of Health

This report analyses proposed changes to Victoria's Health Service Establishment Regulations, focusing on improving clinical governance, safety, and quality. The RIS reviewed the impact of these changes and provided recommendations.

Staff spotlight – Dr Jamie O’Hare

This month, we spotlight Dr Jamie O'Hare, Managing Economist and proud new dad to baby Stirling, as he shares his professional insights and personal joys.

Distilling success for Victorian spirit exports

Client: Agriculture Victoria

The Australian craft distillery sector has grown significantly, with Victoria now having 188 distilleries. Sapere, commissioned by Agriculture Victoria, identified priority markets and developed market entry strategies for Victorian spirit exporters.

Staff spotlight – Jeremy Thorpe

Sapere welcomes Jeremy Thorpe, our new Director, recently featured in the Australian Financial Review. Kicking off our staff spotlight series, Jeremy generously shared fascinating insights into his career and background.

Unveiling the intrinsic value of nature

Explore the value of nature beyond its aesthetic appeal. Environmental valuation frameworks and techniques allow us to understand the economic value of nature and make informed decisions in environmental policy and management.

How can governments effectively assess and manage climate risk to ensure a sustainable future?

Client: Department of Treasury (Western Australia)

Sapere provided expert advice on the design of a Climate Risk Framework for the WA government, exploring options for a staged approach, and aligning with international standards for climate risk disclosure, to support Western Australia's climate resilience efforts.