For those of us who work in the arts, being politically marginalized and economically undervalued is the default situation. We’ve all heard the standard dismissals: no votes, not enough money, a small (elite) audience, get a real job.
However, flip the language and do the math, and a different story emerges. “Creative industries” not only enrich our lives – do you like movies or download songs? – They add vitality to our communities, especially our cities. In addition, art is an important part of the “neon economy”.
Cue is an Australian-first initiative launched by the New South Wales Government in October. It’s called the Neon Market and is designed to make it easier for supply to meet demand. In short, it is described as “an online gathering place for the Go Global ecosystem.”
Helping performers seize opportunities is at the heart of Dance Informa. That’s why we first launched back in 2006; and why we were keen to contact the 24 Hour Economy Office, with whose support the Neon Marketplace is being launched.
While we were unable to speak with the commissioner directly, Michael Rodrigues, a spokesman for the office, responded on his behalf.
Overall, we understand that the move was prompted by a range of factors, some related to the long-standing negative image of Sydney nightlife and others related to the night-time economy (6pm to 6am) which employs approx. 20% of people are related to this fact.
In addition to the Neon Marketplace, the 24-hour Economic Office also launched the “Data after Dark” project. It brings together sources such as public transport and spending transaction statistics to track the impact of its sibling schemes.
As an O24HE spokesperson revealed, Neon Marketplace is a digital B2B portal that “allows participants in the 24-hour economy to easily and instantly connect and collaborate on a regional level.”
More specifically, this means that “everyone from photographers and artists to sound engineers and DJs” can respond to listings from regions and specific businesses within them, whether they are seeking “services, support for participating events” , creatives and performers, or other products” thereby enhancing their night-time economy and local connections. “
One of the cornerstones of the launch is that it is location-centric, meaning the site can be searched by “region.” In other words, it is premised on building a localized, resilient supply and demand ecosystem. “There are currently 22 regions displayed on the Neon Marketplace,” the spokesperson said. “They are a collective of local businesses in the greater Sydney area who receive funding to support business collaboration and promote local development.”
Given that we’re all well-versed in the art of googling, what role does Neon Marketplace play that’s different or unique? According to a spokesperson contacted by Dance Informa, “The platform allows suppliers to interact with a group of businesses in a single transaction through a ‘region’ model. It is a one-stop shop that connects users to the entire region and all the businesses within it .For example, if you’re a musician looking for a live performance venue, a band looking for future events and gigs… you can more easily access these types of opportunities through the Neon Marketplace.
We wonder where the dance troupe is? “You can use the Neon Marketplace to connect with areas, venues and events and find performers. This can help you find new audiences… partner with other local businesses to host events and increase your visibility in the community.
Like other online “community building” programs, Neon Marketplace requires participants to create a profile. From there, they can connect to the region of their choice. As an O24HE spokesperson advises, “If you are part of a business within a listed region, you can easily contact your regional coordinator for guidance. If you are not in a region, you can simply create a profile to respond opportunities and connect with other users on the platform.
While the site has 22 areas listed to date, there are plans to expand beyond the Sydney region in early 2025, including the greater Newcastle area, the Central Coast and the Illawarra/Shoalhaven region. “The good news is that if you’re a creative, artist or supplier, you can work outside of your geographical remit with the region and the businesses within it.”
While Neon Marketplace is not solely focused on the arts (including hospitality, tourism and other aspects of the night-time economy), one of its stated goals is to “foster a vibrant and connected creative community in New South Wales”. In fact, as their spokesperson concluded, “We look forward to seeing what kind of collaboration it can generate.”
Author: Paul Ransom Dance information.
