Government fosters dialogue between culture and tech worlds

The Government has launched an online discussion between the culture and tech sectors about how they can best support each other to increase participation and develop hybrid content.

Called ‘Culture Is Digital’, the project will use a series of blogs written by “thought leaders” from the arts, heritage and tech to provoke public discussion on social media. Alongside conversations with the DCMS and evidence gathering, the discussion will be used to inform a series of targeted proposals.

“This project builds on our commitment in the Culture White Paper to review the digitisation of our public collections and the enhancement of the online cultural experience,” Culture Minister Matt Hancock wrote in a blog announcing the project.

He continued: “I want to ensure we are positioned to be a leading creative powerhouse in the digital age.

“The partnership between cultural and digital industries will help do that.”

Ongoing dialogue

Culture Is Digital will examine the possibilities for creating ‘hybrid content’, mixing traditional storytelling techniques with emerging technologies. Hancock said this “requires an ongoing dialogue,” so artists and the creative industries are made aware of opportunities and the digital sector can realise the full potential of each of its innovations.

The Minister has identified four key themes for discussion:

• The digitisation of collections and aggregation of content to allow digital accessibility to thrive
• Cultural content and technology, and enabling new mediums and formats for cultural production
• Access and participation, and supporting new forms of cultural and digital participation and boosting engagement
• The digital skills, intellectual property and business models that will allow cultural organisations to drive innovation and resilience.

Those involved in the tech and the cultural worlds are encouraged to start sharing ideas on social media using the #CultureIsDigital hashtag.

“I want us to make sure that as we weigh up the challenges we do so with the best and most wide-reaching evidence,” Hancock added.

“Our end product will be drawn from your experiences and suggestions based on best practice that empowers people to bring about change within their own organisations, by pointing out proven success.”