Arts Council to launch Digital Culture Network

Arts Council England (ACE) is gearing up to launch its new platform for arts and culture professionals to explore and use different technologies to achieve their "digital ambitions", the Digital Culture Network.

The network will allow users to look at ways to reach and engage audiences or develop sustainable business models, as well as developing individual skills areas to "support digital growth", such as data analytics or web design.

ACE is developing partnerships and identifying opportunities with the tech sector and will share best practice advice and practical on-the-ground support.

Other areas ACE will assist professionals in as part of the programme, which is due to launch in Q2 2019, are CRM, e-commerce, productivity, SEO and social media.

The move comes off the back of ACE’s 2017 CreativeXR programme, which selected five participants to share £350,000 to develop VR and AR.

"The role the Arts Council and other public bodies play is really important as the ability of arts and culture organisations to respond to changes in the digital landscape will have a major impact on their relevance and long term sustainability," said Tonya Nelson, ACE director of arts technology and innovation, speaking to the Museums Association.

"As a result, government funding to support research into immersive technologies has significantly increased over the last five to 10 years.

"Programmes like CreativeXR not only provide seed funding for immersive projects but also provide the technical expertise, equipment and space for experimentation.

"ACE, as well as other agencies and organisations that support the arts and tech sectors, will continue to help the cultural sector create capacity-building partnerships, build and embed new skills and develop new business models."