A great chat with the National Theatre's outgoing Managing Director - Digital, Emma Keith.

We talked about how digital practice has developed at the NT and how that differs from other performing arts organisations. The history of the NT Live programme, and the importance of pilots and testing ideas. The hidden value of digital infrastructure, remote audiences, thinking about outcomes rather than outputs, leadership, creating a culture of learning, and loads more.

A chat with Beks Leary, Senior Social Media and Content Lead at the National Gallery in London.

We talked about Beks's career, which has encompassed working at a diverse range of organisations including the Bush Theatre, BBC, and National Theatre before Beks's current role at the National Gallery. 

Beks explained the opportunities and challenges that come with working in smaller vs larger organisations, the different ways that broadcasters, performing arts, and collections-based organisations think about audiences. 

We spent most of our conversation discussing the recent 200 Creators initiative (https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/about-us/ng200-programme/200-creators) which saw the National Gallery build relationships with creators across social media platforms to reach new audiences. 200 Creators is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

 A conversation with Art Fund's Associate Director of Digital Experience, Mike Keating.

Most of our chat focused on Mike's relatively recent work in developing Art Fund's first AI policy. The collaborative, open, and pragmatic approach that Mike and colleagues took to this work feels like a useful model that other cultural organisations could borrow from.

We also talk about the benefits and downsides of being a digital generalist, Mike's feelings about technology in general, the impact of Covid on how Art Fund thinks about digital projects, and lots more.

Art Fund (artfund.org) is an organisation with three main areas of focus; they fund art "helping the UK’s museums to enrich their collections", they grow audiences through their National Art Pass membership scheme, and they advocate for museums through initiatives like their Museum of the Year award.

A conversation with Watershed CEO, Clare Reddington.

Watershed is an independent cinema, cultural hub, and home of the creative technology community, Pervasive Media Studio.

Clare was one of the keynote speakers at this year's Digital Works Conference and in our chat she expanded on some of the themes and ideas that were touched on in her keynote session. Ideas of digital confidence, leadership in difficult times, embracing risk, understanding who your audience is (and is not), and acknowledging when you aren't the right person or organisation to take a lead on something.

Clare is a really effective, inspiring and thoughtful voice on digital (in all its many manifestations), technology, and the role of cultural organisations in the 21st century.

We also discussed Undershed, Watershed's new immersive gallery, which is a great example of some of the traits and principles that Clare's leadership embodies.

Clare is also a Visiting Professor at University of the West of England. She is chair of Emma Rice's Wise Children, and is a trustee of of RSC and British Council.

The thirteenth episode of Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter.

In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on Sept 3rd.

We talk about:

• Matt Stasoff on the State of Social in 2024
• Rob Cawston on the National Library of Scotland's AI Statement
• Carly Ayres on "how design's oldest org torched a decade of design discourse"

You can sign up for the newsletter at thedigital.works.

Dr. Martin Poulter is Wikimedian in Residence at the Khalili Foundation.

We hear how Martin moved from being a dedicated volunteer Wikipedia contributor to a key advocate for the open content movement, harnessing Wikipedia’s potential to democratise access to cultural heritage and knowledge. 

Through his collaborations with organisations like the Bodleian Libraries, University of Bristol, and the Khalili Collection, Martin shares his thoughts on the significant opportunities that can arise when cultural institutions embrace Wikipedia.

Martin also shares a frank and insightful perspective on the cultural and mindset change that is required to fully capitalise on these opportunities.

The twelfth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter.

In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on July 16th.

We talk about:

• The 5 habits of innovative councils
• Business Insider on Google's research looking at Gen Z's consumption habits
• Friends of the Earth 'steal our ideas'

You can sign up for the newsletter at thedigital.works.

A conversation with SFJAZZ's Director of Digital, Ross Eustis.

Since 2020 SFJAZZ have developed a comprehensive programme of content for their digital audiences. We look at how these programmes can expand audience reach and enhance engagement.

Ross talks about how this digital work can complement in-person experiences, making performances more accessible and help foster a sense of community globally.

Ross also emphasises the importance of a beginner's mindset, transparency with audiences, and the value of knowledge-sharing between cultural institutions.

If you want to check out all of the videos Ross and his team have been making, head over to SFJAZZ.org/AtHome

The eleventh in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter.

In this episode we'll be discussing some of the links in the newsletter that went out on May 30th.

We talk about:

• Patreon CEO, Jack Conte's SXSW keynote "Death of the Follower & the Future of Creativity on the Web"
• A Slate article on the demise of DeviantArt
• A viral tweet about cheeseburger salad (and accompanying analysis)

You can sign up for the newsletter at thedigital.works.

We sit down with the brilliant Kate Carter, Director of Audiences at the Edinburgh International Festival. Kate shares the experiments that EIF have been carrying out around their audience experience, particularly for classical concerts.