Agenda item

Digital Strategy Update

Report of the Director of Learning & Engagement.

Minutes:

The Board considered a report of the Director of Learning & Engagement providing an update on the Barbican’s approach to digital strategy. The following comments were made:

 

·         Members were advised that the appendix item had been made non-public before the meeting due to concerns regarding digital security.

 

·         Members were advised that detailed updates on the progress and impact of individual digital projects and initiatives were now embedded in departmental updates in line with the distributed approach set out in the strategy. The last page of the report provided the next stage for the digital strategy which seeks to align with the City’s Corporate Plan 2018–23.

 

·         A Member highlighted the importance of staff getting the relevant training to learn how to use and best exploit new technology. It was also noted that it took time for an organisation to adapt to new technologies post-implementation.

 

·         Members noted concern regarding the management of CRM and agreed this needed to be covered in the risk register to ensure the correct resources and plans were in place.

 

·         In response to a query regarding the rate of change with regards to the digital revolution, Members were advised that the Centre would continue to keep working on its digital strategy and distributing where they were whilst continuing to track what others were doing. It was noted that gaps in expertise would be filled as the Centre became more digitally minded.

 

·         A Member queried whether the Centre, which was leading on programming and PR for the Culture Mile, was momentum building on this with C4M and tying in digitally. Members were advised that Culture Mile and C4M were vital and needed to be digitally imbedded in every area; however, it was noted that this was difficult to achieve as the Culture Mile may have a different approach to digital culture than the Barbican. In terms of the C4M, the Centre would be able to build digital at every level.

 

·         A Member noted that new technology and practices, e.g. agile practices, were being taken on and becoming more mainstream in business. It was suggested that the Board adopt new technologies for Board meetings such as dashboards and remote conferencing to ensure digital culture is embraced from the top.

 

·         In response to a query regarding creative learning, Members were advised that this had been explored in broader terms to see what the digital platform could be. There were a number of projects in development which were subject to confirmation including a reality app for families for the Culture Mile and a young creator project which would see 10 young digital artists develop digital art each month for 2019. It was also noted that the Centre was through to the second funding round for a project submitted to the Edge Foundation.

 

·         A Member was concerned whether the Corporation could remain at the forefront digitally due to the fast pace of change without wasting money. The Chairman advised that the Centre was constricted by local government which made it more difficult to move quickly. It was agreed the Centre needed to remain at the forefront to encourage the Corporation to modernise digitally. Members were advised that the next stage of the digital strategy was for the Centre to bridge with Guildhall digitally.

 

·         It was suggested that a Sub Committee test an all-digital approach as a prototype.

 

·         A Member advised caution over the use of a package regarding C4M and recommended careful monitoring of the potential risks.

 

·         A Member voiced concern that the Guildhall School was not as advanced digitally as the Barbican and stressed the importance of both being on the same creative common platform.

 

RECEIVED.

 

Supporting documents: