Empowering Culture with Data
The CCSI play a vital role in shaping European identity, cultural vibrancy, and economic resilience. Still, many organisations face challenges in adopting digital innovations due to limited expertise, fragmented data practices, and a lack of tailored solutions.
EXCENTRIC addresses these barriers by developing Collaborative Data Ecosystems. Unlike conventional digital platforms, EXCENTRIC fosters a participatory, knowledge-sharing environment where organisations collaborate on data-driven decision-making to enhance competitiveness and sustainability.
Responsible digital transformation is a shared task
EXCENTRIC is designed to generate long-term value for Europe’s cultural and creative ecosystems by supporting sustainable, responsible, and inclusive digital transformation.
Reached with practical tools, resources, and training
applying and testing collaborative data practices in real settings
involved through our extended network ,the “EXCENTRIC Orbit”.
engaged through shared development and uptake
at local, national, and EU levels contributing to policy recommendations
Approach: Digital transition that starts with people
EXCENTRIC builds on the belief that digital change in culture should not be imposed, but co-created — shaped by the values, challenges, and insights of those working in the field. To support this, we develop:
Collaborative data practices
Open tools and methods
Everything we produce is made openly available: ready to adapt, reuse, and build on.
Policy and skills labs
Through a series of EXCENTRIC Labs, we bring together cultural professionals, policymakers, researchers, and experts to explore how to translate practical outcomes into evidence-based recommendations These Labs also test ideas and collect feedback to inform our final policy and uptake strategies.
An accelerator model
The pilots' experiences
Over a 36-month period, EXCENTRIC will conduct six pilot projects—four within key experience sectors (festivals, live music, theatre, and museums) and two cross-sectoral pilots—spanning six European countries: Portugal, Germany, Slovenia, Finland, Belgium, and Italy. These pilots will address critical operational challenges, ensuring that organisations of all sizes—micro, SMEs, foundations, and publicly funded bodies—can adopt digital solutions effectively.
Who’s involved?
EXCENTRIC is powered by a consortium of 16 partners from 10 European countries, each bringing unique expertise from across the cultural, academic, technological, and policy sectors. This cross-disciplinary collaboration ensures that innovation is tested in practice, informed by research, and scaled through established networks.
- Erasmus University Rotterdam (NL) – project coordinator, research, innovation framework
- Waag Futurelab (NL) – responsible tech, data commons
- Museum Booster (AT) - specialists in innovation & digital transformation in museums
- Ars Electronica (AT) - societal impact of new technologies
- KEA European Affairs (BE) – cultural policy expertise, communication & dissemination
- Europeana Foundation (NL) – leading platform for digital cultural heritage
- European Festivals Association (BE) – representing over 100 festivals in 40 countries
- Live DMA (FR) – European network for live music venues and clubs
- Romaeuropa Foundation (IT) – international performing arts festival
- Drustvo Racunalniski Muzej (SI) – Computer History Museum
- Oulu2026 (FI) – European Capital of Culture initiative
- Cultural Trend Lisbon (PT) – digital culture lab
- Theater Dortmund (DE) – large-scale public theatre institution
- Krakow Festival Office / European Festival Association (PL) – representing live events and sector coordination
Our partners
