Sector Support
Plymouth Creative and Cultural Sector Survey 2025
We want to hear from you! We’re working to strengthen the creative sector and champion arts and culture in our city — but we can’t do it without you.
This research builds on our 2020 survey, which captured the impact of Covid-19 on Plymouth’s creative and cultural community. Five years later, we’re revisiting and expanding the survey to understand how the sector is working now – its challenges, strengths, and opportunities.
Why this matters?
Plymouth’s creative and cultural sector is a vital part of the city’s identity and economy.
BY SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCES, YOU’LL HELP US :
Identify what support is most needed for organisations, freelancers, and practitioners.
Make a stronger case for investment and improved working conditions locally.
Make a stronger case for investment and improved working conditions locally..
ABOUT THE SURVEY:
- Time required: The survey should take between 10-15 minutes.
- Your voice matters: Whether you’re thriving or struggling, your experience contributes to the bigger picture
- Confidentiality: All responses are anonymous and will be reported in aggregate
- Results sharing: A full report will be available on Plymouth Culture’s website. If you’d like to receive it by email, you can register your information on a separate form at the end of the survey. This form is not connected to your survey responses to guarantee the confidentiality of your answers.
- Laptop or PC recommended: The survey can be accessed via any web browser, but we recommend using a laptop or PC for the best experience.
- Accessibility: Contact us at sabrina@plymouthculture.co.uk if you need this in another format or support to complete it.
WHAT THE SURVEY COVERS
1: About your role - What you do, how you work, and your creative or cultural activity
1.1: About your organisation (Freelances will be taken directly to Section 2)
2: Income - Finances and sustainability, and the realities of making a living.
3: Workspace and infrastructure access – the spaces you have access to and the ones that would benefit your practice
4: Wellbeing, career progression, and support needs– access to training, networks, and professional development.
5: Barrier and challenges – barriers, gaps that make work harder.
6: Key opportunities and areas to grow – the sector’s strength and where it could improve.
7: About you – basic demographic information to help us understand who is represented in the sector.
WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE?
Anyone in the cultural and creative sector in the Plymouth & travel to work area can take part in this survey - for example artists, freelancers, organisation staff, venues, producers. The Plymouth travel to work area is highlighted on the map.
A note on honesty: We know some of these topics can feel sensitive. The arts sector is small, and people worry about speaking openly. Your responses are completely anonymous, and we’ve designed questions to capture both positive practices and challenges. The more honest the responses, the more useful this research will be for everyone.
Thank you for contributing to this important work. Your insights will help shape conversations about the future of working in the arts.
THE SURVEY CLOSES ON 15 DECEMBER 2025