The Institute just published a report looking at open data in New York City’s culture and arts sector—something I’ve been thinking about for a while. It digs into how gaps in what data exists (and how usable it actually is) end up limiting transparency, shaping what we can and can’t prove, and ultimately affecting how resources get distributed.
We looked at a few case studies and the system as a whole, and what comes through pretty clearly is that this isn’t just about missing datasets—it’s about how the whole ecosystem is structured. The report points to some concrete ways to strengthen data infrastructure, make things more accountable, and support better public investment decisions.
If you’re curious, you can explore the full report—it includes the findings, case studies, and some policy recommendations we think are worth pushing forward.