The Arts Digital R&D Fund offers up to £125,000 for projects aimed at enhancing audience reach and developing new business models in the arts sector, with a total fund of £7 million. It operates in two stages: an expression of interest (EOI) process and a final application stage, focusing on collaborations among arts organizations, technology providers, and researchers based in the UK. Key thematic areas include user-generated content, digital distribution, and education, with an emphasis on innovation and wider impact on the arts sector.

1. Briefing Event
artsdigitalrnd.org.uk #artsdigital

2. What is it?
£7 Million Fund
To generate knowledge for wider arts sector
Up to £125K per project (including research)

3. What is it?
New digital projects that:
• Enhance audience reach
• Develops new business models
Key thematic areas:
• UGC & social media
• Digital distribution & exhibition
• Mobile location & games
• Data & archive
• Resources
• Education & learning

4. How does it work?
Two Stage Approach:
• Stage 1: Expression of interest
– Rolling selection process
– Light touch application form
– 7 week turn around
– Application period open NOW – Dec. 30th 2013
• Stage 2: Final application
– Find out more details if successful at EoI stage

5. Project Collaborators
Lead Applicant:
• Any organisation with an arts project
• Based in England
• Project based in England
The Technology provider
• Appropriate technical skills
• No restriction on location
The Researcher/Research team
• Based in the UK
• Working/supported by a UK Higher Education Institution or
AHRC recognised Independent Research Organisation
• Postdoctoral standing
• Expertise in Thematic Areas

6. Stage 1:
Expression of Interest (EoI)
Focus on Collaborations between

7. Application Form
• Proposition
• Project research & learning/wider impact
• Collaboration
• Project delivery
• Research

8. Eligibility Criteria
An organisation based in England
Arts project located in England working with digital
technologies to:
• expand audience reach and engagement and/or explore new
business models for the arts sector
Looking for a three way partnership arts, tech,
research
Project must fall under one (or more) of the thematic
areas
Project must demonstrate clear benefit to the public

9. Proposition:
Selection Criteria
• How innovative is the digital proposition insofar as it relates to
the Fund’s audience reach/engagement & new business model
objectives?
• How important is testing the digital proposition for the wider
arts sector?
Project research and learning/wider impact:
• What potential does the project have to deliver data/research
findings that are of relevance and value to the wider arts
sector?
• What potential does the project have to deliver new
products/services that can be shared and used by other arts
organisations?
• How will the project disseminate the knowledge (research, data
and learning) generated by the project?

10. Selection Criteria
Collaboration:
• Arts partner: does the organisation have a track record in the
arts and arts projects?
• Technology provider: does the organisation identified as the
technology provider have the relevant skills/track record to
deliver the work?
Collaboration
• Does the researcher/team have a good track record of
research, especially in the subject area of the proposed
project?
• What is the researcher/team’s track record of collaborating
with arts organisations/technology organisations?

11. Selection Criteria
Project delivery:
• How well do the applicants demonstrate their ability to deliver
the project?
• What is their capacity to engage in the R&D?
• Do they have buy in from senior management/CEO?
Research:
• Does the proposed research methodology match the project
proposal?
• How will the research proposed benefit the arts sector more
widely?

12. Researchers
Research discipline
• Main areas of research expertise/interest
• Previous research relating to the fund’s thematic areas
Expertise and experience
• Previous experience of research collaborations with arts
organisations and/or technology providers
• Please briefly highlight what research methodology was
used
Research impact
• How would your involvement benefit the fund’s objectives
• Anticipated benefits to the wider arts sector to your
research/research discipline
• How would you support the dissemination and wider impact
of the fund's research outputs?
CV/Biography

13. Finding a Partner
Website
• Collaborative platform on R&D Fund
website to help you find a project partner
• Search by region, specialism, partner type

14. Final Application
Only those successful at EoI can apply
If you are successful at EoI stage, everyone:
• Has 12 months to submit an application or by
12noon on the 10th of March 2014
• Take time to develop the project – get the right
people and commitments in place

15. Further Information
• Website: www.artsdigitalrnd.org.uk
• Contact: Angela Pugh
• Email: digital-rnd@nesta.org.uk
• Address: Nesta, 1 Plough Place, London
EC4A 1DE