When more people connect with creativity and community, the world is a happier, healthier place.

We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia, who have practiced culture for 60,000 years.

First Nations people know that music, art and storytelling aren’t optional–they are fundamental to human existence.

We celebrate their knowledge, the wisdom they share and their ongoing connection to Country.

ABOUT US:

Patternmakers is a social enterprise that uses research for good.

Our research priority for 2025-2028 is creative wellbeing: doing research, sharing insights, and designing programs that help Australians experience the benefits of creativity.

If you’re working towards a happier, healthier world, and think evidence can help your cause, we’re here for you!

Featured
Cultural Tourism in Regional NSW

LATEST NEWS:

Past projects
When art sparks change

In 2023, Patternmakers tested a new way of showcasing Community Arts and Cultural Development, a specialist art form, where professional artist facilitators work with communities to co-create projects with purpose.

Commissioned by Creative Australia, the project turned existing information like project acquittal forms and social posts into dynamic digital stories. Explore the interactive digital resource ‘When Art Sparks Change’, now live.

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PROJECTS

We put data into action for good causes

Our goal is to see more people connecting with creativity and community, and living happier, healthier lives because of it.

Past projects
Cultural Tourism in Regional NSW
Cultural Tourism in Regional NSW

In 2024, the NSW Regional Arts Network commissioned Patternmakers to produce a new analysis of cultural tourism in regional NSW.

We analysed over 3,200 cultural tourism experiences currently on offer in regional NSW and found that cultural tourism is not only pivotal for the economy, it is socially and culturally important, enabling visitors to learn and engage with Australian communities in a deeper way.

When art sparks change
When art sparks change

In 2023, Patternmakers tested a new way of showcasing Community Arts and Cultural Development, a specialist art form, where professional artist facilitators work with communities to co-create projects with purpose.

Commissioned by Creative Australia, the project turned existing information like project acquittal forms and social posts into dynamic digital stories. Explore the interactive digital resource ‘When Art Sparks Change’, now live.

Creative Sector Mapping with Arts Mid North Coast
Creative Sector Mapping with Arts Mid North Coast

In 2023, Arts Mid North Coast commissioned Patternmakers to help map the region’s creative sector, and how it can be supported to make the area even more vibrant and inclusive.

Along with a sector survey, we facilitated ‘Creative Futures’, a series of informal networking events and discussion groups featuring creative exercises to explore the future of the sector.

Audience Research for the National Gallery of Victoria
Audience Research for the National Gallery of Victoria

Since 2019, Patternmakers has been the research partner for the NGV, one of the most visited museums in Australia. Year-round, we conduct audience research for the National Gallery of Victoria in order to provide insights into the motivations and behaviours of its visitors.

Researching Participation Pathways for Australian Dancers
Researching Participation Pathways for Australian Dancers

Patternmakers is working with The Australian Ballet and the Australian Ballet School in 2023, conducting research into participation pathways for Australian dancers.

Creative Sector Mapping with Arts Northern Rivers
Creative Sector Mapping with Arts Northern Rivers

From 2023 to 2025, the Patternmakers team worked with Arts Northern Rivers on a Creative Sector Mapping Project.

Commissioned in the aftermath of the 2022 flood and storm events, the project aimed to measure the size and changes in the region’s creative sector, and identify opportunities for the future.

MEDIA MENTIONS

Breaking ground

When our research reaches the news, we do a little happy dance, because we know change is underway.

Follow our travels as we bring research to life

Don’t be a stranger, connect with our socials and be a part of the research for good movement.

Back in May we hit the road visiting Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Coffs Harbour for #CreativeFutures. It was a pleasure collaborating with @artsmnc on research and consultation, to inform a new strategic plan. We visited art spaces and facilitated d
What do dance school enrolments tell us about the future of dance in Australia? In 2023, we were commissioned by @ausballet (TAB) and @theaustralianballetschool (ABS) to conduct research into participation pathways for Australian dancers. The goal w
Have you engaged with a @nationalgalleryaus touring exhibition? Whether that be the Terminus VR experience, the Know My Name: Australian Women Artists exhibition or Patricia Piccinini's Skywhales, we want to hear from you. In June 2024, we're worki
Patternmakers is pressing pause for a three-month break in late 2024. We’ve been head down for 8 years, producing audience research, impact evaluation and market insights work – and it’s time to come up for air. We want to take sto
Archie Moore has made history, becoming the first Australian ever to win the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale. His exhibition ‘kith and kin’, curated by Ellie Buttrose and commissioned by @creative.australia, transformed the walls of
Recently, we’ve seen several of Australia’s music festivals announce cancellations, due to challenges ranging from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, poor ticket sales, extreme weather events, regulatory changes and rising operational

TESTIMONIALS

Testimonials

“This research has us changing our thinking about the way we articulate what we do as a company.”

Fraser Corfield
Artistic Director
Australian Theatre for Young People

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“I love the way you are working with us! I think it was a fantastic workshop. Really dynamic and all about co creation.”

Gill Nicol,
Director, Audience Engagement
Museum of Contemporary Art

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“The four years of research were extremely well received in each of the participating countries. It allowed us to confirm ongoing funding for each year of the project and also to measure and refine each year’s program content - a highly satisfying outcome.”

Fenn Gordon
Senior Producer (previous) at Performing Lines

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“Tandi brings savvy insight into the workings of arts and culture research, and contributes ideas from new angles and with a fresh perspective. Partnering with her helped to deepen my thinking - it was challenging and enriching.”

Morwenna Collett
Arts & Disability Expert

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“Tandi is a delight to work with, because she is really outcome oriented in her work. She is great at identifying key insights and posing the hard questions in the most diplomatic way.”

Bridget Jones
Research and Analysis Manager
Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences

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“You brought insightful perspective, rigour and focus to the evaluation and always showed a preparedness to work alongside the team to get the intent and nuance of the findings articulated.”

Karilyn Brown
CEO of Performing Lines

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“THANK YOU for your exceptional hard work on this. It’s great, everything we asked for. Tight, concise and clean, provocative, helpful and evidenced. We are delighted!”

Jo Verrent
Senior Producer for the Unlimited Commissions Programme

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“I’ve had requests from many asking for me to share the report with them. It’s so useful and easy to read.”

Isabelle Kingsley
Program Producer at the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences

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Willing to participate in research for good?

We’re looking for people and organisations to help us gather data, and test new ideas.

If you’ve been involved in creative or community activities recently, you can join thousands of others already on The Culture Panel. By completing a survey, or testing a new product, you’ll be helping good causes access the data they need to grow.

Here’s how >