Digital Works Podcast

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.

The tenth in our new series, Bytes, where Ash and Katie usually discuss 3 (or 4) things from the latest Digital Works Newsletter but in this episode are looking back at the first Digital Works Conference.

Ash and Katie identify a few themes and takesaways that are applicable to all cultural organisations, regardless of size:

• Prioritising questions, imagination, and people over technology and assumptions
• Building stronger, more direct relationships with your audience 
• How inclusion and accessibility benefits everyone
• And last but not least that there is lots to learn from other sectors

A conversation with Adam Stoneman, founder of Ireland's Muse-Tech Working Group.

Adam's career is a testament to the possibilities that can arise when cultural institutions embrace technology to democratise and enhance the museum experience.

Last year the Muse-Tech Working Group, a cohort of Irish museum professionals, published Museum Technology: A Critical Primer.

This document engaged with the implications for the cultural sector of emerging technologies such as biometrics, web3, and XR. Through dialogue with civil rights experts and academics, they produced the critical primer to try and start sector-wide conversations to ensure technology serves the cultural sector authentically and ethically.

We explored topics including digital literacy, power imbalances and skepticism towards tech corporations, and the push for open-source initiatives.

You can download the Primer document for free here.

The nineth 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 April 15th.

We talk about:

• Deloitte's 2024 Digital Media report
• Aaron Cope's blog post on how the SFO Museum is navigating the Fediverse
• We look at the news that The New York Times are measuring user attention and engagement metrics in new ways
• And last but not least we look at AI meets social history with 'Synthetic Memories', a project aiming to fill the visual void in underrepresented communities' pasts. 

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

A conversation with Dr Brett Ashley Crawford and Paul Hansen. Their new book (Raising the Curtain. Technology Success Stories from Performing Arts Leaders and Artists) looks at how performing arts organisations and artists are successfully using technology in a variety of different contexts.

We talked about how the pandemic became a catalyst for innovation, we look at examples of organisations that have embedded technology across all their work. We discussed how digital transformation is not just about adopting new tools, but rather a revolution in connecting with audiences and empowering artists.

Brett and Paul share lots of specific, tangible examples of organisations that have successfully adopted new, more digitally-enabled ways of working across a huge diversity of areas. They also share their insights and observations about the common traits of organisations that enjoy the most success with adopting and executing these new ways of thinking and working.

You can find more info about the book, and order a copy, on the Wiley website.

Dr Brett Ashley Crawford is an Associate Teaching Professor of Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy and is the Faculty Chair of the Masters of Arts and Entertainment Management Programmes.

Paul Hansen is a marketing, creative and PR consultant, primarily working with the performing arts. As marketing director for Dance Kaleidoscope, a medium-sized company in Indianapolis, Paul navigated the challenges of using technology in new ways for nearly 12 years. 

Raising the Curtain was published by Wiley in March 2024.