Data Conversations for impact: opportunities and challenges of data and AI in supporting the impact in cultural sector

Data Conversations increases the societal and economic impact of the CCI sector by tackling the challenges stemming from lack of knowhow and implementation skills for impact design, data collection and literacy and digitalisation and AI. Gathering creative and cultural organisations, universities and sector-wide networks, we take the following actions: (1) We build DIDACT – an interactive and digital version of AI enhanced impact design and assessment tool, building on the success of best practice tools including the Impact Canvas from MeMind project, self-evaluation framework from Museums of Impact project and the Europeana Impact Playbook. DIDACT will use AI visualisation and text analysis capacities to become an interactive guide for the CCIs looking for ways in which they can accelerate their digital transition, become more sustainable, engage audiences, and utilise AI in a meaningful and supportive way. (2) We develop info-experiences: creative and collaborative data collection methods and guidelines aiming to create a better understanding of and engage with audiences. To do this, the project will bring together at least ten artists and creative professionals for (3) an artistic research and development residency where they can learn and collaborate in developing new data collection approaches suitable for CCIs. (4) We train cultural and creative professionals in i) adopting data-based organisational practices, by engaging data in decisions and planning for impact; ii) empowering organisations through conversations about data; iii) utilising and developing creative, collaborative, meaningful and emotionally engaging data collection approaches that support audience engagement and iv) enhancing their practical knowledge in working with AI. (5) By using DIDACT, CCIs will contribute to a trans-European dataset about the state of the art of the sector, their impact and audience collaboration needs and practices.