As part of the development of the arts and cultural heritage IDP, this key issues paper has been prepared to provide background information about likely data needs and data sources, as the basis for consultation on priorities. The scope of this paper is broad as it seeks to map the wide range of likely data needs that could support informed decision making and community debate across the arts and cultural field, including cultural, social, economic, and quality of life issues. The paper outlines the current key policy issues, existing data sources, and gives some indication of whether data are available to address the key policy issues. Some working definitions have been included but further work will be required to develop definitions that can be used as a basis for empirical data collection (e.g. to define professional artist, public good, innovation). Potentially useful research questions have been linked to the key issues to enable an assessment of data availability, and to prompt further discussion. Download the pdf HERE.