Three things from this week
Similarities and differences
This week I attended two conferences, Culture Geek and Museums+Tech. Both of these conferences focused on the use of ‘digital’ by museums and galleries (mostly).
As someone who has spent more time over the past few years at events focused either on how digital is used across the whole ‘culture sector’ or specifically by arts organisations, it was an interesting reminder of the interests, priorities, and conversations that happen in this museums and galleries focused space.
While they undoubtedly have many similarities, shared challenges, and crossover in terms of mission/purpose etc, the conversations about digital in these two distinct areas of the cultural sector are definitely in subtly different places at the moment.
I think there are definitely things that each ‘side’ of the sector could learn from each other and I am pondering how that could be made to be an easier and more freeflowing exchange of knowledge and ideas.
Managing relationships
At both of the conferences I attended this week there was lots of talk of (and praise for) partnerships between cultural organisations and commercial organisations.
This will inevitably be something that more organisations will need to consider as the funding environment (in the UK at least) becomes ever more constrained over the coming years.
However whilst it was interesting to see the outcomes of these types of relationships (thus far almost always involving the larger organisations in the cultural sector) I wonder how comfortable people across the sector feel about how they should be thinking about these possibilities.
How should cultural organisations decide who to approach, make that approach, broker a relationship that is valuable to all the partners involves? And then how to cultural organisations ensure that the value of those relationships is realised, and the relationship managed and sustained over the longer term?
These are all solvable issues, but it doesn’t feel like there has been much discussion in this area yet.
I expect that will change.
My favourite band
On Thursday I went to see Sigur Rós at Brixton Academy. I worked out that it was the 11th time I had seen them since my first time seeing them at Somerset House in 2005.
That first time in 2005 was a very special experience (this man at the Guardian enjoyed it too) and even after 17 years, and having seen them more times than I have fingers, last night was just as moving.
I really do love that band.
