Digital switch on

How important is digital participation for the arts sector? Can companies survive without embracing emerging technologies? Both questions are central to ‘Encouraging Digital Access to Culture, a document commissioned by the DCMS to offer companies and institutions guidance on how to accelerate their digital programmes. Jonathan Drori’s findings aim to dispel scepticism about the value of digital access to cultural output. “No-one can underestimate the huge value and delight of being in a live audience, seeing the real artefact or just sword-fighting with sticks at a ruined castle,” he says, but “digital services can complement and enhance [those] experiences and deliver completely new ones … they [are not aimed to be] replacements.” Drori calls for will and imagination, detailing a checklist of 10 essential things to do alongside more comprehensive analysis on ways organisational strategy, leadership, culture and business models can work in implementing and improve digital engagement.