2024-2025
ASSESSMENT:
The State of Open Data for Culture and Arts in NYC 

An assessment of New York City’s open data ecosystem with a focus on the culture and arts sector. This study reviews existing policies and datasets and incorporates interviews with key stakeholders to highlight the challenges and opportunities the cultural sector encounters in leveraging open data for innovation. The project features a presentation of findings and a series of online workshops designed for city officials, funders, and arts organizations.

This study promotes data literacy and open data practices, strengthening the culture and arts ecosystem in multiple ways. By enhancing collaboration between cultural organizations and government entities, open data supports the development of evidence-based policies and more efficient information sharing. It also fosters transparency and accountability in public institutions, advancing good governance, social equity, and inclusion.

Open data also facilitates stronger collaboration between philanthropy and government, aligning funding strategies and refining foundation priorities. By adopting open data principles and standards, city governments and foundations can improve service delivery, encourage innovation, and strengthen stakeholder roles and relationships within the data ecosystem.

2025
ROADMAP:  
Towards an Open Data Shared Agenda in NYC’s Culture & Arts Sector

Building on the assessment above, this project facilitates the city-wide co-design of a shared policy agenda to advance open data in the arts and culture sector. It engages cultural workers, arts organizations, foundations, and government stakeholders in a collaborative process. This multi-stakeholder strategy employs a participatory methodology to develop a goal-tracking plan and a capacity-building program tailored for all participants.