Arts Council England, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and Nesta have commissioned independent research agency MTM to track the use of digital technology by arts and cultural organisations in England between 2013 and 2015. Results are now available from the first year survey of 891 arts and cultural organisations, including digital activities, barriers, enablers and impacts.
It shows that arts and cultural organisations have transformed their marketing and operations through digital technology, with many reaching bigger and more diverse audiences than ever before. They are also seeing major benefits for creation and distribution, whilst in other areas like new revenue generation, important opportunities remain.
Digital technologies are disrupting established practices and creating new opportunities for innovation across the creative economy.
Some arts and cultural organisations are experiencing transformational impacts, using digital technology to reach bigger audiences than ever before.
But how can we make the most of digital technologies?
Arup Report: Museums in the Digital Age
The report ‘Museums in the Digital Age’ (Author: Josef Hargrave) published in October 2013 by the consulting engineering firm Arup envisages a dynamic future for museums.
Moving beyond static objects in glass cases, the report outlines how future museums will see personalised content, new levels of sustainability and a visitor experience extended beyond present expectations of time and space. This report highlights a number of key trends that will continue to have a significant impact on the user experience and design of future museums.
http://www.arup.com/Publications/Museums_in_the_Digital_Age.aspx
Natural England Report: Green Infrastructure – valuation tools assessment
Green Infrastructure – Valuation Tools Assessment (NECR126)
There are an increasing number of tools available that aim to value green infrastructure. Many of these focus on specific services provided by the green infrastructure and estimate the economic value of these services.
This report was commissioned to draw together a number of the most widely used tools and assess them against research standards for natural science and economics. The aim is to help people wanting to value green infrastructure choose the best tool for them. As well as descriptions and the assessment of the tools, links to further information and examples of the use of the tools are provided. The report also points to the key gaps in the tools available highlighting areas for further work.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6264318517575680
EENC Report: The social and economic value of cultural heritage (literature review)
In early 2013, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC) asked the EENC to prepare a review of recent academic literature and research reports addressing the social and economic value of cultural heritage.
The resulting document, which includes an analysis of 87 publications, should contribute to the implementation of activities in the context of the European Agenda for Culture as well as the recognition of the potential role of cultural heritage for the achievement of the Europe 2020 strategy, the EU’s mid-term plan to foster smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. A final chapter summarises the main findings and presents some conclusions, as regards the areas of impact observed, the policy relevance, the methodologies used and the research and documentation needs identified.
http://www.eenc.info/news/the-social-and-economic-value-of-cultural-heritage-literature-review/
Scottish Government report: Healthy Attendance? The Impact of Cultural Engagement and Sports Participation on Health and Satisfaction with Life in Scotland. #heritagefutures
Executive Summary
There is a substantial body of evidence on the health benefits of individual and group engagement in cultural activities in particular health settings like hospitals (Ruiz, 2004). More recently, evidence has grown on the impact of general cultural engagement on health and life satisfaction at a population level (O’Neill, 2010). Much of this research stems from Scandinavian epidemiological studies based on secondary analysis of population surveys (eg Cuypers et al, 2011).
In Scotland, questions on participation in culture and sport have been included in the Scottish Household Survey since 2007. Questions on life satisfaction and self-assessed health were added in 2009. This means that, for the first time at a population level, data is available to statistically explore the relationship between taking part in cultural and sporting activities, attending cultural places and key quality of life measures in Scotland. This report presents the findings of the analysis of this relationship.
There is consistent evidence that people who participate in culture and sport or attend cultural places or events are more likely to report that their health is good and they are satisfied with their life than those who do not participate. This finding remains true even when other factors such as age, economic status; income; area deprivation, education qualification, disability/or long standing illness and smoking are accounted for.
Learning Museum report 3: Measuring Museum Impacts #heritagefutures
The publication contains the results of the research undertaken by the European funded project The Learning Museum, on the subject of impact evaluation in museums. The aim is to provide a general overview on the main issues concerning the different kinds of impact evaluation in the museum sector – economic, educational, social, relational, environmental – but also practical information and guidelines.
http://www.lemproject.eu/WORKING-GROUPS/audience-research-learning-styles-and-visitor-relation-management/3rd-report-measuring-museum-impacts/view
UK-UNESCO report: Wider Value of UNESCO to the UK
The UK National Commission for UNESCO report, Wider Value of UNESCO to the UK 2012-13 brings together data and analysis of the costs, benefits and wider value of UNESCO to the United Kingdom.
The report is the first of its kind, in providing such an assessment of the direct and indirect benefits to the United Kingdom, its citizens, communities and organisations, of membership of UNESCO. The report’s conservative estimate of the financial benefit is £90million per year.
This figure comes from an analysis of 180 sites and organisations in the UK and Overseas Territories which have formal links to UNESCO through one of several programmes. These 180 range from universities and local archives to cities and large areas designated to further economic development and biodiversity conservation.
Natural England Report: Green Infrastructure – Valuation Tools Assessment (NECR126)
Green Infrastructure – Valuation Tools Assessment (NECR126)
There are an increasing number of tools available that aim to value green infrastructure. Many of these focus on specific services provided by the green infrastructure and estimate the economic value of these services.
This report was commissioned to draw together a number of the most widely used tools and assess them against research standards for natural science and economics. The aim is to help people wanting to value green infrastructure choose the best tool for them. As well as descriptions and the assessment of the tools, links to further information and examples of the use of the tools are provided. The report also points to the key gaps in the tools available highlighting areas for further work.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6264318517575680
Report: Canal & River Trust Impact Report 2012/13
The first CRT Impact Report demonstrates the difference the organisation has made, caring for its canals and rivers and inspiring people to connect with them, during the first nine months of the new organisation (July 2012 – March 2013).
Living Streets report – The pedestrian pound: the business case for better streets and places
The pedestrian pound: the business case for better streets and places
A new report from Living Streets makes a robust case that investing in good quality public realm can provide direct benefits to businesses and the local economy.
Living Streets commissioned research company Just Economics to bring together the evidence of the commercial and consumer benefits of good walking environments.
It reviews the academic literature and examines the relationship between investing in better streets and places and the impact on existing businesses, urban regeneration, and business and consumer perceptions.
To accompany the report, Living Streets has also put out its own summary report, outlining our key recommendations for putting these findings to work.
http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/make-a-change/library/the-pedestrian-pound-the-business-case-for-better-streets-and-places
UKHRG - UK Heritage Research Group 