The “Digitisation and ICT infrastructure for Cultural Sector Preservation and Access Project” (Cluster DRF Project) is an initiative funded by the Digital Restart Fund (DRF). The project includes the State Library of NSW, the Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum, and Sydney Opera House. The project’s vision is to evaluate and implement a scalable shared or reusable solution for digital preservation, storage, and access, starting with the procurement of a digital preservation system. The solution will use API technologies to integrate with systems and storage at each cultural institution. The project also aims to uplift maturity of institutions with limited digital preservation expertise through collaboration and learnings from more experienced institutions.

While each institution is at a different stage in its digital preservation journey, there is a value for shared, standardised digital preservation practices. Each institution has significant digital assets to preserve; to mitigate risk of degradation and obsolescence and to provide access to collection material into the future. Digital preservation has been identified as a strategic priority for manyinstitutions, resulting in the establishment and improvement of policies, processes, and technologies. For others, this is an opportunity to leverage experience and align practices from peer institutions.

Institutions face common challenges with ICT infrastructure, such as scalability, costs, and support for services. This project supports the concept of a shared digital preservation system that can be used by the institutions. Shared technology and license costs, application of best practices, and the adoption of common processes and tools will benefit each institution and provide significant economies of scale.