From Cultural Measurement to Institutional Capacity: Making Evidence Usable for Decisions

Building on our discussions on cultural data capacity and looking ahead to the International Forum of Cultural Observatories in Bilbao and the 2026 Abu Dhabi Culture Summit, the session connects three perspectives: (1) emerging international approaches to measuring cultural and creative ecosystems; (2) cultural observatories and subnational data infrastructures as producers of context-sensitive knowledge; and (3) the institutional capacities required to translate evidence into policy, strategy and action. 

Rather than focusing only on what should be measured, the panel would consider a broader question: Who needs to know what, for which decisions, and what institutional capacities make evidence meaningful and actionable? 

The discussion will be structured around the following questions: 

     · Can you give an example of cultural evidence that actually influenced a policy or institutional decision? What made it usable? 

     · Who needs to know what, and for which decisions? How can cultural measurement systems better respond to different institutional needs? 

     · Beyond data and technical expertise, what institutional capacities are needed to translate evidence into action? 

     · If cultural observatories are evolving into broader knowledge infrastructures, what should they do differently, and what should we begin tracking? 

This conversation would also provide an opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of cultural observatories - from mechanisms primarily concerned with data collection and reporting towards broader knowledge infrastructures that can support institutional learning and decision-making.

The panel is organized by the Co-Chairs of the ENCATC Working Group on Cultural Observatories and Measurement:
• Dr. Cristina Ortega Nuere (3Walks / ENCATC Member)
• Dr. Elena Raevskikh (Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi / ENCATC Member)