My break ended up being extended unexpectedly by being ill (which included a trip to a German hospital which was interesting).
Anyway, here are 3 things from last week.
Digitally friendly leadership
A lot of the conversations I have for the Digital Works podcast end up talking about the importance of digitally literate (or at least ‘sympathetic’) leadership.
This feels increasingly vital for the future of digital in the sector.
As organisations have to make difficult decisions about what to prioritise the urge to double down on ‘a return to normal’ seems to be the prevailing sentiment. This is, I believe, a huge mistake, and one that flies in the face of an increasing amount of research that indicates audience want — and indeed expect — cultural organisations to maintain a digital offering.
If cultural organisations choose not to then these audiences will simply go elsewhere, and they won’t necessarily be easy to tempt back.
If organisations don’t have individuals arguing, in strategic conversations, for the importance of digital then I can see many organisations dropping — or at least radically reducing — their work in this area.
Lived experience
Last week we hosted our first in-person Digital Works event for over two and a half years. Our discussions focused on accessibility and it was brilliant to hear from award-winning blogger, and content designer, Chloe Tear.
Whilst it is, of course, useful and instructive to hear from others on the practical, legal, and technical aspects of accessibility, it was really powerful to hear from Chloe’s lived experience as a disabled person.
We regularly try to share perspectives like Chloe’s through our Digital Works programme, and our internally-focused Substrakt Sessions.
The clarity and impact of Chloe’s session proved why we will continue to do so.
Royal reactions
The UK went a bit weird last week.
I’m not going to dwell on it too much but he reactions I saw in some places were worrying, it was like a collective breakdown.
A really angry breakdown.
