The Digital Culture Network: five years on
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It’s been five years since the Arts Council launched the Digital Culture Network (DCN), and its impact on raising the digital skills of creative and cultural organisations, museums and libraries has never been greater.
During this unprecedented time, the shift and increased adoption of digital technologies has never been more important
At a time when digital literacy has been an enormous focus for national and local government, the DCN has pioneered an approach that’s provided bespoke one-to-one support to more than 1750 organisations and artists, with 10,000 more gaining new skills through our training events.
A friendly approach
During this unprecedented time, the shift and increased adoption of digital technologies has never been more important: it’s helped sustain and broaden the reach of cultural organisations. Throughout it all, the DCN have provided a friendly hand to help that vital transition.
For those who don’t know, the Digital Culture Network is a team of 12 ‘Tech Champions’, that help creative and cultural organisations across England troubleshoot, embed and build capacity around digital technology. Through one-to-one consultations, webinars and resources, the team have answered questions ranging from, ‘How do I set up a Hotmail account?’ to ‘How do I pull ecommerce data into Google Analytics 4?’.
Whatever the question, the DCN team understand that the key to meaningful change is to understand the need of the organisation or individual and to collaboratively find a solution that’s appropriate. It’s an approach that’s not only helped embed learning, but also been enormously popular with those seeking help.
Tackling key trends
But what an unprecedented five years it’s been to provide that help – the programme’s key trends over this time have been revealing.
This year, our most successful ever, it’s been about accessibility and making sure the use of digital technologies are as inclusive as possible.
Pre-Covid, our social media Tech Champion was one of the busiest helping organisations with their organic and paid strategies, as well as understanding the possibilities of TikTok. During Covid, it was our content Tech Champion, firstly helping organisations navigate Teams and Zoom meetings, and then the capturing and live streaming of content.
Post-Covid, it’s been implementing Google Analytics 4 to provide vital data and insight.
This year, our most successful ever, it’s been about accessibility and making sure the use of digital technologies are as inclusive as possible. We couldn’t be prouder of providing the service, but also that organisations and individuals are so committed to using it.
Embedding solutions
It’s the DCN’s success in boosting the digital literacy of the sector that’s seen it help deliver Bloomberg Philanthropies’ ground-breaking Digital Accelerator Programme. The venture supports organisations of varying sizes, disciplines and geography to enhance their digital infrastructure and develop the skills of their staff.
Alongside the Arts Council’s team of digital advisers and programme staff, the Tech Champions ensure one of the programme’s key principles: that buying the equipment is only a part of the solution, even more important is the help in embedding it and using it effectively.
Looking forward
This may have been our most successful year to date, but there’s so much more to come. Over the last five years, we’ve collected a wealth of data about the digital skills needs of the arts and culture sector. We’re now making the dataset available for everyone to access, to help other organisations who are interested in boosting the digital literacy of the sector.
This may have been our most successful year to date, but there’s so much more to come.
Early in 2025, we’ll also see the third instalment of the Digital Culture Awards (DCAs). The DCAs recognise the best in digital transformation, digital engagement, and use of technology in creativity and culture. We can’t wait.
A very busy year ahead, then. But for the moment, we’re pausing to wish the Digital Culture Network a happy fifth birthday. Congratulations DCN, here’s to many more.
