6.4 Participating in professional networks and sharing best practices

Digital art preservation thrives on collaboration. Professionals connect through organizations like INCCA and AIC-EMG, sharing knowledge at conferences and online. These networks foster innovation, helping conservators tackle the unique challenges of preserving digital artworks.

Best practices evolve through collective effort. Standardized tools like the Variable Media Questionnaire guide preservation strategies. Collaborative projects and open-source initiatives push the field forward, ensuring digital art remains accessible for future generations.

Professional Networks for Digital Art Preservation

Key Organizations and Networks

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• International Network for the Conservation of Contemporary Art (INCCA), American Institute for Conservation Electronic Media Group (AIC-EMG), and Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC) serve as primary professional organizations for digital art preservationists
• Variable Media Network and online forums facilitate formal and informal networking among digital art conservation professionals
• European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers' Organisations (E.C.C.O.) and Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) offer specialized groups focused on digital art preservation at regional and national levels
• Daniel Langlois Foundation and Guggenheim's Conservation Department contribute research and academic resources to the professional network
• Digital Art Archive and Rhizome's ArtBase function as online hubs for information exchange and networking in the field

Academic and Research Contributions

• Universities with digital preservation programs (New York University, King's College London) provide educational foundations for professionals
• Research centers like the Netherlands Institute for Conservation, Art and Science (NICAS) conduct studies on digital art preservation techniques
• Academic journals (Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, Studies in Conservation) publish peer-reviewed research advancing the field
• Conferences (Museums and the Web, Electronic Media Group sessions at AIC annual meetings) offer platforms for presenting new findings
• Collaborative research projects (Matters in Media Art, Preserving Digital Art) unite institutions to address complex preservation challenges

Best Practices in Digital Art Preservation

Development of Standards and Guidelines

• Variable Media Questionnaire standardizes artist interviews to capture intent and preferred preservation strategies
• DOCAM Documentation Model provides a framework for documenting complex digital artworks
• Collaborative efforts like the "Preservation of Complex Objects Symposia" series develop guidelines for specific media types
• Research projects (e.g., "Digital Art through Time") investigate long-term preservation strategies for evolving technologies
• Working groups within organizations (INCCA, AIC-EMG) focus on creating and updating best practice documents

Dissemination Methods

• Peer-reviewed journals (Leonardo, Journal of Cultural Heritage) publish research findings and case studies
• Webinars and online workshops (offered by organizations like DPC) provide accessible training on best practices
• Conference presentations at events (International Conference on Digital Preservation) share latest developments
• Online repositories (CoOL - Conservation OnLine) host conservation documentation and strategies
• Social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn groups) facilitate rapid sharing of updates and resources in the field

Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration

Collaborative Projects and Initiatives

• Multi-institutional efforts address preservation of obsolete technologies (e.g., "Preserving Virtual Worlds" project)
• Interactive digital installation preservation projects (ZKM's "digital art conservation" project) unite conservators globally
• Open-source software development (Rhizome's Webrecorder tool) enhances collective resources for digital preservation
• Hardware emulation initiatives (EaaSI - Emulation as a Service Infrastructure) preserve functionality of obsolete systems
• Cross-disciplinary collaborations with computer scientists improve technical aspects of preservation (e.g., bit-level preservation techniques)

Platforms for Knowledge Exchange

• Wikis (e.g., "Digital Preservation Wiki") serve as collaborative knowledge bases for the community
• Shared databases (INCCA Database for Artists' Archives) centralize information on artist interviews and documentation
• Online workspaces (Slack channels, Microsoft Teams) facilitate real-time collaboration among professionals
• Mentorship programs (AIC Emerging Conservation Professionals Network) connect experienced and new professionals
• Internships at leading institutions (Tate, MoMA) provide hands-on training in digital art preservation techniques

Impact of Networking on Digital Art Preservation

Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment

• Track number of collaborative projects initiated through professional networks (e.g., 15% increase in multi-institutional projects over 5 years)
• Measure adoption rates of shared best practices across institutions (e.g., 70% of surveyed museums implemented DOCAM model)
• Analyze depth of knowledge exchange through surveys and interviews with network participants
• Evaluate development of new preservation methodologies resulting from networked efforts (e.g., creation of time-based media conservation roles)
• Assess resolution of complex preservation challenges through case studies of collaborative projects

Long-term Effects and Innovation

• Monitor changes in institutional practices and funding allocation for digital art preservation initiatives
• Track professional career trajectories to understand networking's impact on field advancement
• Evaluate development and implementation of new preservation tools (e.g., adoption of Webrecorder for web-based art preservation)
• Assess adaptation to evolving technologies through case studies of preserved artworks using innovative techniques
• Analyze policy changes at national and international levels influenced by professional networking advocacy efforts