A Human-Centred Methodology for Collaborative Digital Transformation in Culture
The digital transformation of Europe’s Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) is not merely a technological imperative—it is a cultural and societal one. EXCENTRIC develops a methodological approach that places human agency, collaborative data practices, and ecosystem thinking at the heart of this transition.
Context and Rationale
Despite the proliferation of digital tools and data streams, many cultural experience sectors—such as live music, festivals, theatre, and museums—continue to underutilise data in their operational and strategic processes. These sectors are uniquely positioned to generate intangible, audience-centred value, yet they often lack the infrastructure, skills, and frameworks necessary to harness data effectively.
EXCENTRIC responds to this challenge by proposing a Collaborative Data Practice model, adapted from proven methodologies in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, energy, and logistics, and tailored to the specificities of the cultural domain.
Methodological Foundations
The EXCENTRIC methodology is structured around two core principles:
1. Human-Centric Digital Transformation
Rather than imposing technological solutions, EXCENTRIC engages cultural professionals in the co-design, testing, and adaptation of digital tools. This participatory approach ensures that innovations are aligned with the needs, skills, and values of the creative workforce. The methodology promotes:
- Data literacy and organisational capacity-building
- Customisation and diffusion of digital tools
- Sustainable innovation beyond the project’s lifecycle
2. Collaborative Ecosystem Thinking
EXCENTRIC seeks to dismantle sectoral silos by fostering cross-sectoral collaboration and networked innovation. Through six pilot projects across six countries and the involvement of three pan-European umbrella organisations, the project cultivates a shared culture of data-informed decision-making and mutual learning.
Operational Structure
The project is implemented through nine interlinked work packages, encompassing:
- WP1–WP2: Development of an integrated innovation framework and pilot diagnostics
- WP3–WP4: Acceleration and tool development
- WP5–WP6: Transversal analysis and sustainability strategies
- WP7: Policy recommendations based on empirical evidence
- WP8–WP9: Communication, dissemination, exploitation, and project management
Each work package is designed to reinforce the methodological pillars of human-centricity and collaboration, ensuring coherence across technical, organisational, and policy dimensions.
Pilot Implementation
EXCENTRIC’s methodology is tested through four sector-specific and two cross-sectoral pilots, conducted under real working conditions. These pilots serve as laboratories for:
- Integrating smart data infrastructures into programming, pricing, and audience engagement
- Evaluating technological readiness and organisational adaptability
- Generating metrics and insights to inform broader policy frameworks
Policy and Strategic Impact
A key component of the EXCENTRIC methodology is its commitment to evidence-based policymaking. Drawing on pilot outcomes, the project formulates recommendations for digital transformation strategies that are:
- Inclusive and participatory
- Technically robust and scalable
- Aligned with European values and sustainability goals
These recommendations aim to support cultural institutions, policymakers, and funders in navigating the complexities of digital innovation while safeguarding cultural integrity and public value.
At the heart of EXCENTRIC lies a conceptual and operational model known as the ARCHS framework. This framework will serve as a strategic compass for implementing digital transformation in the CCSI, ensuring that innovation is not only technologically sound but also ethically grounded, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.
The ARCHS framework is being developed to address a critical gap in the digital transition of cultural organisations: the lack of guiding principles that align technological innovation with human values and sector-specific realities. While digital tools and data infrastructures are increasingly available, their adoption often fails to consider the lived experiences, ethical concerns, and collaborative potential of cultural practitioners.
ARCHS responds to this challenge by offering a structured set of principles that inform every stage of the EXCENTRIC methodology—from pilot design and tool development to policy formulation and ecosystem engagement.
The Five Pillars of ARCHS
The acronym ARCHS encapsulates five foundational principles:
- A – Adaptive
EXCENTRIC applies an accelerator approach which recognizes the imperative need for flexibility in the dynamic landscape of CCSI. The digital transformation aims to empower CCSI to benefit from, develop, and adapt to emerging technological solutions, evolving market demands, and varying organizational contexts. - R – Responsible
Responsibility extends beyond legal compliance to encompass the broader societal and environmental impacts of digital innovation. Cultural organisations are urged to consider how their digital strategies affect communities, ecosystems, and the public good. - C – Collaborative
Collaboration is central to the EXCENTRIC ethos. The framework promotes active engagement among stakeholders—artists, technologists, policymakers, audiences—fostering co-creation, mutual learning, and shared ownership of digital tools and processes. - H – Human-Centric
The human-centric dimension places the needs, skills, and values of cultural professionals at the forefront. Rather than imposing generic solutions, the framework advocates for participatory design processes that reflect the diversity and specificity of cultural work. - S – Sustainable
Sustainability is understood in both environmental and organisational terms. The framework supports long-term viability by encouraging resource-efficient technologies, capacity-building, and strategic planning that extend beyond the project’s duration.
EXCENTRIC offers more than a set of tools—it proposes a paradigm shift in how digital transformation is conceived and enacted within the cultural and creative sectors. By foregrounding collaboration, human agency, and ecosystemic thinking, the project sets a benchmark for responsible, intelligent, and culturally attuned innovation.
As Europe continues to invest in its cultural future, EXCENTRIC’s methodology provides a replicable and adaptable model for ensuring that digital transformation serves not only efficiency and growth, but also creativity, community, and cultural sustainability.
