ARCHIPELAGOData Aggregation and Visualization for the Cultural Sector

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4 FRAMING QUESTIONS

Whois making art?

Whereis it happening?

Whois engaging it?

Howis it supported?

I searched Google Images for “grant” and this is

what they gave me…

KEY AUDIENCES

• Grantmakers

• Arts advocates and service organizations

• Researchers

• Policymakers

• Artists & arts organizations

• Art nerds!

TYPES OF DATA

DATA COLLECTION PHILOSOPHY

Emphasis on sustainability– Multipurpose data collection– Use secondary sources wherever possible– Leverage local knowledge and relationships

• Automate, automate, automate

Broad, inclusive approach– Both arts organizations and arts-relevant organizations

• e.g., symphony orchestra vs. high school

Note: There’s tension between the two!

ORGANIZATIONS

Nonprofits and gov’t agencies (for-profits later)• Sources: IRS/Guidestar, original research• Supplemented by Cultural Data Project

SPACES

Syndicated from Spaces application• New York• Bay Area• Philadelphia• Los Angeles• Washington DC• Minnesota• Sacramento• Atlanta• Salt Lake City• more coming…

AUDIENCES

Mailing list co-ops• e.g., Bay Area Big List• Working with TRG on quasi-national data set

GRANTS

Sourced from individual grantmakers• Foundations, city, county, and federal agencies• Working with Foundation Center for upcoming

Sustainable Arts initiative

REGIONS

Source: US Census• Counties and cities• Congressional districts • State legislative districts• Zip codes• Census tracts • Census block groups

INDICATORS

Population• by race, age, foreign origin, educational attainment, disability status

Housing• rent, home values, vacancy rate, homeownership

Income• median household, poverty rate, unemployment

Transportation• vehicles per household, public transit use

Sources: US Census (2010), American Community Survey (2009), and Bureau of Labor Statistics

REPORTS AND VISUALIZATIONS

SAVED MAPS HELP TELL STORIES

SAMPLE BETA TEST PROJECTS

Arts consultantInformed recommendations to client regarding impact of grantmaking program

City arts agencyDeveloped outreach for community-wide cultural plan

Discovered burgeoning media arts community “barely touched” by current funding

City office of economic developmentAssisted with planning process for cultural district

FoundationPinpointed opportunities for municipal investment to support cultural activity (e.g., transit, retail, etc.) plan

Identified appropriate venues at which to present workshops in outlying counties

WHAT’S NEXT?

New analytical capabilities• Longitudinal analysis

• Cross-regional comparisons• Standard metrics and benchmarks

• Scenario planning tools

WHAT’S NEXT?

New data sets• Fiscally sponsored organizations/projects• For-profits / creative economy businesses

e.g. music clubs, independent bookstores• Events and activities

WHAT’S NEXT?

New advocacy capabilities• Campaign organizing tools

• Issue tracking

WHAT’S NEXT?

Free, public, national version• Limited data sets (e.g., no CDP)

• Premium accounts for funders, etc.