Open Data 101 for Culture and Arts

Led by the Culture & Arts Policy Institute, this webinar introduces the core concepts, practices, and public benefits of open data through the lens of the culture and arts sector. It explains what “open data” actually means, how it differs from internal or private data, and why it matters for organizations seeking to understand their impact, advocate for resources, or strengthen transparency. Participants will learn about basic standards, common tools, and examples of how open data is used in the United States and internationally to inform policy and support cultural ecosystems.

The goal is to give participants the confidence and foundational knowledge needed to engage meaningfully in open data practices and to understand the value of joining broader open-data efforts such as the Institute’s Cultural Data Commons, a community-governed open data infrastructure designed to make cultural-sector information accessible, ethical, and equity-centered for artists, cultural workers, organizations, and public agencies. RSVP here