Reimagining the value of the arts
RISING and leading economic consultancy Mandala have come together to launch the Economist in Residence Platform, a new initiative designed to reframe how Australia understands, values, and invests in arts and culture.
Made possible through the significant pro bono contribution from Mandala, the residency will deliver a series of research papers that aims to make the broader economic and social value of culture more visible.
The series underscores a flourishing national appetite for live culture, with 74% of Australians (15.4 million people) attending a live arts event in the past year (Creative Australia, National Arts Participation Survey 2026), the highest participation rate recorded since tracking began in 2009. Notably, 47% of patrons say socialising is a key motivation for attending, and 36% say they attend to better understand other perspectives and cultures.
Over the past five years, think tanks and government departments have introduced new frameworks to value the arts more comprehensively, however Australia lacks a united national approach and continues to lag behind the OECD average government spending on cultural services per capita by 37% (OECD 2026).
The Economist in Residence program builds on existing approaches, starting from what the economy is meant to deliver and asks how the arts contribute: as a cultural good, an economic sector and a strategic asset.
Grounded in consultation with artists, institutions, and community, the evidence base developed by the Economist in Residence platform across these three pillars will support a better valuation approach to the arts that reflects how they help us meet our shared national goals.
Launched on Wednesday evening 11 November 2026 with Esther Anatolitis in conversation with internationally recognised neurologist Prof. Sarah Wilson, Mandala Managing Partner Amit Singh, and RISING Artistic Director Hannah Fox.
