In an increasingly interconnected world, it is becoming more and more important to learn from one another – and this also applies to cultural institutions. Adapting best practices from other sectors makes it possible to improve one's own working methods and adapt to changing challenges.
One major advantage, for example, is the promotion of innovation. Cultural institutions can benefit from methods that have been developed in technology-driven or economic sectors. Project management strategies or marketing approaches from the corporate world can thus increase the reach and impact of cultural events.
Another aspect is the increase in efficiency. By thinking outside the box, cultural institutions can adopt more effective organizational structures and operational processes. This not only leads to an improved use of resources, but also to a stronger focus on the actual cultural objectives.
Collaboration with other sectors also promotes a diversity of perspectives. The exchange of expertise between culture, business and technology helps to create creative synergies and develop innovative solutions to common challenges. For example, a partnership between the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York and Google Arts & Culture has enabled art enthusiasts worldwide to take virtual tours of the MoMA galleries and explore masterpieces digitally. Google's technology is being used to create broader access to artworks and expand the cultural experience.
Google Arts & Culture and MoMA are also using machine learning and computer vision technology to create an extensive network of new connections between the exhibition history and MoMA's online collection (read more here).
Overall, cultural institutions that are willing to learn from other industries are better equipped to meet the demands of a networked world. This interdisciplinary approach not only enables sustainable further development, but also strengthens the position of cultural institutions as important players in the cultural and social fabric.
actori therefore relies on an interdisciplinary team with extensive experience in various subject areas to provide cultural institutions with the best possible advice and to support interdisciplinary learning.
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A contribution by Dr. Nora Pähler vor der Holte, project management.