What creative life do you want for Sydney?

Hego says:

Micro sponsorships between $100-$1000 for local streetartists to complete projects that provide utility to local residents of some sort A roving marching band like detroit has one Fines for landlords that leave their properties vacant for more than 6months A serious short term plan for events at white bay power station

Alex says:

Yes the transport should keep playing. When at a friends house till late we always think 'let's get outa here and hit the clubs' then we remember the last train is at 11.30pm or 12am then we say oh no cab way too expensive let's just stay in! Same thing with the way home there should always be public transport 24/7 at least on the weekends it will encourage people to stay out more, and increase revenues of local business's. let become a 24 hour city!

Sandra says:

Triin says:

Faye says:

In comparison to other modern cities Sydney can be rather inferior when it comes to accessibility for people with disability, this includes public transport, physical access to buildings and other attractions. All cultural events in Sydney should have to consider accessibility issues and meet particular criteria.

Michelle says:

I am a 33 year old who left Australia at the age of 18 due to the lack of a great music scene. I have recently returned after 12 years of American life and I must say, I do lament the lack of OPTIONS here in Australia. First of all, many many venues that used to be no longer are. Secondly, the promoters in Australia do NOT aim high. And when we DO have festivals like Vivid, Sydney amongst others the selection of Black artists covering the spectrum of funk, soul, dancehall are close to none unless they are on a boutique label. I do not go out to those performances because I do not want to spend money on artists I do NOT enjoy seeing. However, I am more than happy to spend top dollar and get the best seats on the rare occasion when someone I like comes here. Bilal will be here in May, but I am still stunned that artists like Jill Scott, Maxwell, D'Angelo etc continue to NOT be toured down under despite a devout fanbase. Considering the response Erykah Badu got when she came her (sold out shows) Australian audiences are ACHING for EXCEPTIONAL live music played by EXCEPTIONAL musicians but we continue getting shortchanged. I love live music, I truly miss living in cities like Los Angeles and Atlanta that are teeming with amazing concerts every week. Here I am lucky if I go out 2/3 times a year...no options, no diverse, quality options at all :/

Alaska says:

Whenever I'm walking around I always see big canvases for more street art. Sydney only really puts up art for special occasions like the Biennale, etc. It would be good to see some more spaces (besides museums) that are permanently dedicated to street/installation art (possibly a new piece every few months or so). I feel like our city has the potential to embody such a vibrant, creative atmosphere, like Melbourne has become. My tutor at university is a new media artist, he works a lot with electronics, for example at the Gold Coast (or Perth I don't remember) he has an interactive electronic installation piece installed in one of the parks, and it has been up for many years. I myself would jump at the opportunity to paint a mural in our city, I feel like a majority of people write most street art off as 'vandalism' and it has created a very negative stigma.

Scarlett says:

Stop trying to be like Melbourne. You'll always come runner-up in that contest. Just be Sydney. I was born there, and go there once a year. I have been raised in Melbourne. Every time I go back to visit Sydney I love the change, and that it's different from Melbourne. If you're generalising it to say 'creative life in SYDNEY' rather than a certain area, it just seems like you're copying Melbourne. Because Melbourne is and will always be THE creative state in Australia. Though this is the case, we Melbourne folk are certainly jealous of the beaches Sydney has. Embrace your beach history...stop trying to come second in a race that has already been won.  I'm sorry, I'm not meant to be coming off as a whiner, It feels quite strange that I'm even writing this, never emailed something of complaint before. But please consider what I am saying. Thank you for your time.

Fantastic ideas keep coming in. To have your say join our forums or send us a submission. Here are more highlights from feedback received so far.

John says:

It would be great to have a Hub for creators of musical theatre in this town. Similar to what this group did on a temporary basis. http://www.newmusicals.com.au

Mike says:

A Sydney idea incubator / project room: a residency based think tank that invites artists, architects, scientists, programmers, engineers, philosophers, designers to get together to solve a problem or collaborate on a project, removed from the distractions of everyday life (rent, day job, etc). Residents by invitation or application process. A regular South East Asian night food market (possibly in Campbell St, Haymarket?) just like you would find in Bangkok / Hanoi.  A 'Make and Do' space - a space that has large size equipment for making artworks that is otherwise unaffordable / difficult to access for the average person (eg welding equipment, printing presses). Space could work similar to a library, use of equipment can be booked by the hour, supervised to avoid OHS issues. The disused tunnels in St James station - surely something cool could happen down here? A concert program?

Joan says:

Funding, training and opportunity for arts critics (theatre, film, visual art, etc) will cultivate and encourage enriched discussion, creation, and consideration of Sydney's cultural community. Help critical voices.

More great ideas coming in all the time! Read below for a taste of what people are telling us:

Marie says:

Rick says:

something like this! http://www.peoplesmarket.com.au/ carriageworks does a great job, too. More please.

Holly says:

Get rid of pokies in pubs, have more places for live music for unsigned artists and also underage artists. The music scene in Sydney is prehistoric in comparison to other global cities

Gavin says:

Assistance in linking theatre/performing artists with disused spaces that could be converted into performing venues. Strong partnerships between the City and artists could help to see areas and buildings activated and give artists access to much needed spaces to perform in and add vibrancy to areas of Sydney through the activation of these under used spaces.

Terrific ideas are coming in. Please take the time to enjoy the suggestions so far.

Christo says:

I run a small creative space in Darlinghurst. There have been some great council policy initiatives such as the Oxford St Cultural Quarter Action Plan, and the recent Music Taskforce, however there is still a big gap between this policy and the actual planning department approval process, ie the planning laws are not yet aligned effectively to the cultural policy. I'd like to see inner city planning laws amended to reflect the cultural policy initiatives so we can become a true vibrant 24 hour city in these inner city precincts like Tokyo, London, and New York.

Elizabeth says:

Like most people, I enjoy the large events put on by the City and other arms of Government but my main interest is in the SMALL creative ideas of local artists, craftspeople, musicians, singers, children and performers. All we need is somewhere to BE creative.  There are fewer and fewer old buildings for artists to have their studios and, in my village - Pyrmont - we have nowhere to put on a show or concert. My view is that there is too much focus on the City providing the art and culture, and not enough on providing opportunities for ordinary people to BE creative.    We don't want to be passive receivers, we want to be doers.