The Australia Council for the Arts has released new research about how Australian audiences engage and interact with art in a digital space. The report, In Real Life: Mapping digital cultural engagement in the first decades of the 21st century, analyses the way artists and companies around the country have adopted ways to reach potential audiences beyond traditional physical performance spaces like theatres.

Omega Ensemble performing as part of Sydney Opera House’s digital season. Photo © Prudence Upton.

“We now have literally at our fingertips almost infinite possibilities to discover, connect, engage and create culture online. We have seen, particularly throughout the pandemic, how digital technologies have enabled more people to access the arts and cultural experiences.” said Australia Council CEO Adrian Collette.

The report lays out the rise of digital platforms since 2000, and the ways in which audiences have taken up the chances afforded to them to consume performances and art exhibitions from their homes. The engagement saw an understandable uptick during the COVID-19 pandemic, with companies finding themselves having to adapt to digital content to maintain connections...