ACD Engine:
Putting cultural data to work

This project aimed to develop an Australian Cultural Data Engine (ACD-Engine), which will be an open software engineering facility that interacts with leading existing cultural databases in architecture, visual and performing arts, humanities, and heritage to build a bridge to information and social sciences. The ACD-Engine will unify and expand these disparate and previously unconnected systems to allow advanced analysis techniques to be performed. It will deliver innovative and searchable formats that ensure interoperability, improved search, interactive design and interpretation aids that will benefit the policy and planning for national and international alignments between researchers, industry and government.

The Australian Cultural Data Engine will contribute to the Australian national interest by building a facility for robust, comparative and innovative analysis of the cultural sector. It builds upon rich data assets that exist for sectors including architecture, the visual and performing arts, humanities and heritage, but the project team will improve this data e.g. by mapping demographic, employment, touring and funding, to determine cultural policy, creative and governance outcomes. Its innovative research tools and visualisations will be open source for researchers, government and non-government users, and interface with international cultural frameworks in Europe, the US and UK. Aimed at improving knowledge of the cultural sector, community participation and social resilience, the project will develop new technology outcomes in design, data curation and public engagement, as well as generate a much-needed labour force of flexible, advanced, skilled and diverse data experts identified as a priority by government and high growth technology industries.