Transforming the Cultural & Heritage Sector's Data Infrastructure

Data across the UK’s arts, cultural and heritage (ACH) sectors is often fragmented and inconsistent, making it difficult to demonstrate impact or influence policy decisions. This lack of clear, usable evidence leaves the sector vulnerable to funding cuts and disconnects decision‑making from the people and places it affects.

To address this, a consortium led by the Centre for Cultural Value, The Audience Agency, MyCake and Culture Commons has developed a blueprint for a National Cultural Data Observatory, supported by ESRC and Research England funding. Shaped by engagement with nearly 500 sector stakeholders, the project also included a live regional pilot focused on Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

The research highlights the need for an independent, people‑centred approach to cultural data - one that connects datasets securely, supports ethical data sharing, and builds sector capacity. A National Cultural Data Observatory could provide a trusted, robust evidence base to support better policy, stronger advocacy and more effective cultural decision‑making. The consortium is now exploring opportunities to scale this work nationally through new funding and partnerships.

You can read the full report below along with the Bradford Case Study.For more information, please visit www.ncdo.org.uk.