Cultural dimensions of arts entrepreneurship : lessons for Vietnam from Australia

This paper provides an overview of entrepreneurial activities in three non-profit performing arts organisations in Australia and lists implications for Vietnam. The relationship between limited funding, pressure to attract audiences and the need to act entrepreneurially to diversify funding sources characterises both countries. Case studies from Australia were used to analyse how leaders in arts organisations balance the interests of the various funding sources and market opportunities to service their revenue requirements. Our research strengthens the need to study how Vietnamese artists face challenges of financial viability, audience development, and balance between commercialization and artistic creativity. We conclude that entrepreneurship is seen as an important concept for understanding the development of arts organisations in Australia and Vietnam.