What is digital culture?
Digital culture (also known as e-culture) refers to the integration of digital technology in the consumption of culture and art. With the rise of the internet and the extensive use of computers, smartphones, and tablets, digitalization has become an integral part of our daily lives. For the cultural sector, digitalization also offers opportunities. Art and culture are no longer bound by time and place but can be found with a simple search in just one click. These institutions have already paved the way in digitizing their offerings.
Interactive and innovative culture
In the previous century, it was expected that all existing media would be swallowed up and replaced by the advent of the internet. Contemporary digital culture shows that the opposite is true. Art and culture are more easily rediscovered and disseminated through the internet. Social media fosters more participation and interaction within the cultural sector. The audience can leave comments or share it with others, allowing the offerings to spread further and further.
Creator and audience
Digital culture blurs the line between users and creators compared to the past. On platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, anyone can make their own artwork, exhibition, and the like available for others to view. It also invites people to contribute their part to the growing cultural sector.
As a sector, we can learn from the developments in digital culture. Delve into online youth culture.
Why digitalize?
A digital world demands digital culture. But why should your organization join in? Read the 7 reasons below.
Relevance
Everything is becoming increasingly digital, and art and culture are no exception. Digitalization makes art and culture available worldwide to everyone, allowing your story to reach new people.
A hybrid sector
Digital does not exclude the physical; it offers a different experience or even encourages physical visits. A digital experience is always different from a physical one, creating opportunities for new artistic creations and making existing offerings more accessible. This ensures that more audiences come into contact with culture.
Catering to the audience of the future
The current cultural audience is aging, and attracting new generations is a challenge. Digital culture can make it easier for new generations to connect with your organization. The new generation spends their daily lives on the internet, where they learn about new topics, get inspired by others, and constantly seek new experiences. By creating offerings that meet their digital needs, your organization comes into their view, and your future audience gets acquainted with what you have to offer.
Want to know more about the audience of tomorrow? Explore the DEN dossier Audience of the Future.
More insights
Digitizing your offerings also means gaining more insights into what attracts your audience. With clicks on your website or likes on social media, your audience shows what moves them and what they are interested in. You can take this into account when curating your offerings. These are the advantages of data-driven work.
Increasing accessibility
We live in an inclusive society, where we increasingly consider the circumstances of others. By digitizing, you ensure that your offerings become more accessible to people with visual or hearing impairments. Through the use of special software, they can still experience the offerings. This brings culture closer to an audience that might otherwise find it difficult or impossible to engage. Learn more about digital inclusion and accessibility.
Creating international reach
Digitalization expands our world. As an audience, we have access to international collections. This also means that you, as a cultural organization, can connect with an international audience. An inspiring example is the online city of Persepolis. Something that was previously inaccessible to many is now available everywhere.
Creating multimedia offerings
Images, audio, video – all can be brought together under one roof, both digitally and physically. By digitizing and combining various media, you can present your offerings or collection in new and unique ways. Digitalization also contributes to your organizational goals. Take inspiration from Our Limburg Museum, an online museum that connects and shares stories from across the province. This way, the story of Limburg becomes everyone's story, and online becomes an extension of the physical offerings with exclusive online content.
Looking for more inspiration?
DEN collects the most inspiring forms of digital culture, from online museums, digital music shows, to on-demand performances. Digital makes it possible to reach and connect with a new audience. Seek collaboration, start small, and embrace the digital possibilities.
Embrace digital culture?
Are you inspired and want to take steps to make digital culture a part of your organization? Developing a digital strategy can help. To know where you currently stand and what the next steps could be, there is the Digital Transformation Scan.
More articles per topic
