Over the past couple of weeks, several people have reached out and said to me,
“We’ve noticed your work with culture and community transformation, and we’d like to know more”
These interactions have led me to reflect on the journey many cultural workers and organizations are experiencing.
Here are some common trends and insights:
– We were hoping that society would improve after the pandemic restrictions lifted.
– Many of us are striving to strike a balance of staying current in global affairs.
– We examine these changing conditions to determine balance.
– We monitor global trends
– Cherish elements dear in our lives (local stories about people and places, local farmers, local artists, family, friends, etc.)
When reflecting on our lived experiences, how might we work together with today’s technology to shape our experiences with our audiences and communities in ways that better reflect our values and priorities?
Our Collective Covid-19 Hangover
Business models and customer service have been changed forever.
Many of us were hoping that our cultural organizations could help social inclusion, mental health and community vitality.
In our past work with WikiWednesday Digital Literacy for GLAM webinar series, we explored tools and techniques to help colleagues increase their success through online presence and innovation.
We continue to monitor the sector, looking for opportunities to collaborate in the future.
Toronto-born Cory Doctorow’s recent book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to do About it, argues that “it’s not just you – the internet sucks now.”
Check out this video to hear Cory explain key aspects of his work. Doctorow mentions that while he talks about bigger concepts, he decided to listen to others when they recommended using a swear word in the title of the book to get people’s attention.
One can understand how many museum professionals are reluctant to use Doctorow’s book strategy.
Thought leaders and subject matter experts use innovative tactics and strategies to reach larger audiences and connect with communities.
If you are curious and open to global trends, what tools should you choose in the future?
After becoming familiar with Cory’s argument, it can be pretty depressing to navigate his solutions.
Doctorow’s book was published in October 2025. It will be interesting to monitor how Doctorow’s ideas might shape 2026 and beyond.
The Fairy Tale
Culture + Communities = Transformation
If we could all imagine a fairy tale place 5 years from now, what would it look like?
What would it take for communities and individuals to fashion solutions with technology to achieve the Fairy Tale?
For this proposed Fairy Tale, what would it take to create a world where:
- We’ve moved past Social Media Dominance to better ways to connect with our loved ones and online communities to benefit our sense of culture, society and ideas.
- AI is not an extractive industry. In this new world, we find better ways that share public knowledge and culture, where artists and cultural workers are rewarded for their roles as knowledge keepers and online storytellers.
- Valued Intimate experiences with friends and families – Cultural organizations can play a key role here.
- Local communities and neighbourhoods are full of trust bonds and personal connections
Previous insights to improve the visitor experience and discoverability from our firm:
- Our Digital Literacy for GLAM, Wiki Wednesday series resources
- Visitor Experience onsite and online review of Italian Art Museums
- Linking your Strategic Planning Process to programming and volunteer management strategies
Discover how we can design an implementation roadmap, digital strategy, or strategic plan for your organisation by arranging an online discovery session here.