What did you want to find out at the start of your project?
What exactly is in Myseum’s repository of digital content, what has worked well, and what can be repurposed as we strive towards building a digital archive of Toronto history/a city timeline? Needed evidence-informed decision making around digital strategy and resources within our reach.
What did you actually do?
We began archiving and organizing our digital pieces that existed across a variety of platforms. Did not get through the full collection, but along the way unearthed new questions, new ways of seeing and organizing digital content, and had several staff-wide conversations around digital content and digital competencies, which inadvertently shaped formulas, processes, and approaches to ideating, producing, creating, and disseminating digital content.
What was the most difficult thing you found?
Volume of content and haphazard methods of creating digital content up until now, across several different platforms, made this feel quite overwhelming to complete in full. The organization was also undergoing lots of change and transition (new staff as well as developing a strategic vision) so there were times where our findings through our DART experiment wouldn’t necessarily align with organizational priorities. However, where there was challenge, we also saw opportunity to inform decisions around digital production and advocate for recommendations around digital content and audiences across the organization.
What surprised you?
Rethinking digital content as programming and the many ways it offers access points to history and to conversations with our audiences. Digital content had largely been functions of social media/marketing, or as a byproduct of the pandemic. Participating in DART offered us the opportunity to take a step back, gather insights on Myseum’s methods of sharing Toronto’s histories digitally, and produce with more intention and collaboration across team members.
What is next for you and/or your organization?
We’ve built a few systems and teams to support the creation, sharing, archiving of our digital content, so need to continue iterating and testing/adjusting those. We also hope to have a website that houses and exhibits our digital content in more engaging ways.
What 3 quick takeaways would you give to help future participants/your current fellow participants?
1) Whatever challenges you are facing at your organization, know you aren’t alone – connect with the sector and others whenever you can.
2) Digital content creation is truly an iterative process – there really is no better way than just trying something, & the concepts (rhythm, voice, communities, data insights and analytics, storytelling, etc) need constant reinforcement.
3) Reflect on your organization’s presence, experience, and voice online AND offline – is it consistent?