COST Action CA24129 European Cooperation in Science & Technology Funded by the European Union · 2025–2029
Follow
Working Group 4

Shared Systems of Documentation and Knowledge Management

Sabina Suru, Persistent Objects (Places of Care project), 2024. Courtesy of the artist
Working Group 4 addresses the preservation crisis facing Europe's vulnerable media and born-digital art collections by defining foundational technical and conceptual documentation baselines. Traditional collection-management systems are poorly suited to the layered, shifting knowledge that complex contemporary artworks generate. To bridge this gap, WG4 connects artists, researchers, technologists and conservators to explore dynamic, open-source and wiki-based collaboration platforms instead of building unsustainable standalone databases. We focus on resolving geo-cultural disparities across Europe through cross-regional analysis, mapping infrastructure gaps and standardising a shared terminology. Ultimately the group works on interoperable metadata schemas and Linked-Open Data strategies, so vital conservation knowledge flows into transnational networks such as the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage, safeguarding our shared digital heritage for the future.

What we're working on

Building shared systems for distributed media art care.

We are analysing the practical do's and don'ts of preservation across transmedia, research and media art conservation. By shifting from static databases to multi-stakeholder wiki tools, we help diverse institutions, from grassroots spaces to major international museums, capture and share the complex, layered knowledge around media and born-digital artworks.

At the same time we are tackling regional expertise disparities through a comprehensive geo-cultural needs assessment. Through collaborative metadata and Linked-Open Data strategies, our framework builds an accessible, sustainable infrastructure that connects European heritage practitioners directly with artists, technologists, researchers, historians and the public.


Focus

Four WG4 subgroups

Join a work package that fits your practice
Subgroup 4.1

Zotero Group Library: Documentation

Builds a critical literature review and shared resources for the whole Action via a Zotero library.
Coordinators
Ms Martina Haidvogl
Work packages
WP 4.1.1 · Group library
Prepares contribution guidelines and creates the shared Action Zotero library.
WP 4.1.2 · Curatorial direction
Curates the library's main topics and a tagged-keyword system.
Subgroup 4.2

Stakeholders & Regional Dynamics

Maps education and stakeholder practices to identify regional uses, gaps and needs across Europe.
Coordinators
Dr Violeta Vojvodiu0107 Balau017e
Work packages
WP 4.2.1 · Survey on regional uses, needs and gaps
Coordinates an Action-wide survey on regional documentation gaps and needs.
WP 4.2.2 · Stakeholder map
Maps capacities for better integration of the born-digital art network.
WP 4.2.3 · Prep for Training School on documentation
Designs the WP4 Training School framework (target groups, subjects, approach); scheduled for GAP3.
Subgroup 4.3

Digital Tools & Strategies

Finds the best tools and approaches for scalable, dynamic and participatory documentation platforms.
Coordinators
Ms Morgane Stricot
Work packages
WP 4.3.1 · Mapping digital tools for documentation
Coordinates an overview of existing tools and platforms, and a needs assessment.
WP 4.3.2 · Documentation decision-making model
Prepares reference initiatives, a criteria list and a prototype model tree (continues in GAP2).
Subgroup 4.4

Common Language

Critically reviews problematic terminology and initiates a shared “Common Language” glossary.
Coordinators
To be confirmed
Work packages
WP 4.4.1 · Jargon
Designs a work-in-progress terminology sheet, gathering min. 30 entries for unified cross-field definitions.
WP 4.4.2 · Interdisciplinary minefield
Shares the glossary through internal cafés and preps an artist–conservator exchange platform.

Activities

What's on from WG4

All events
Monthly
Café
Informal Cafés — open drop-ins for the whole Action
Online · free · all members welcome
open
TBC
Online Café
Zotero training — guidance for aficionados and beginners alike
Online · hosted by WG4
upcoming
GAP2
Prototype
Documentation decision-making model — test round
WG4 · internal
upcoming
TBC
STSM
Baseline documentation best practices @ CYENS
Short-Term Scientific Mission · TBC
upcoming
Get involved

Contribute to WG4.

Conservators, researchers, technologists and artists interested in documentation, terminology and shared knowledge systems are welcome to join. New to EMBARK? See how membership works, then reach out to the leads.