In today’s digital age, the online presence of arts organizations plays a pivotal role in their success and growth. A key factor in achieving visibility and attracting a wider audience lies in optimizing digital discoverability. Recently, monstrARTity, Mississauga-based not-for-profit and producer of Canada’s largest South Asian festival, embarked on a journey to enhance its digital discoverability through a collaborative project with The Arts Firm. With the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, this partnership proved to be a game-changer in their online outreach.

We had the privilege of speaking with Ev Harris, the Associate Artistic Director of monstrARTity, to gain insights into the significance of digital discoverability and the impact of their collaboration with The Arts Firm. Ev shared valuable experiences, highlighting the importance of this endeavor and offering advice for other arts organizations seeking to amplify their online presence.

What does digital discoverability mean to monstrARTity and why is it important?

Digital discoverability refers to how easily relevant targets, including sponsors, vendors, and audiences, can find monstrARTity online. It is crucial for our growth because if we want to attract more attendees, vendors, and sponsors, they need to be able to discover information about us without us actively reaching out to them. This organic discovery helps expand our horizons and enables us to reach a wider audience.

How has your work with The Arts Firm helped your digital discoverability?

Working with The Arts Firm has been instrumental in improving our digital discoverability. They provided us with valuable training on search engine optimization (SEO) and Google Ads, areas where we lacked expertise within our team. The customised one-on-one training sessions with The Arts Firm allowed us to discuss and understand these concepts thoroughly. Additionally, the materials and resources shared by The Arts Firm were recorded and made available on an online platform, enabling us to share them with new team members and continue our learning.

What advice would you give to other arts organizations looking to improve their digital discoverability?

One major lesson we learned is the significance of having a well-structured website for digital discoverability. Search engines rely on the content of websites to determine their relevance. If arts organizations want to enhance their digital discoverability, it is crucial to conduct research or work with a consultant to ensure that their website is properly structured. This process can be overwhelming, so seeking training and utilizing available resources is an essential starting point.

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital engagement, the importance of maximizing digital discoverability cannot be overstated. The collaboration between monstrARTity and The Arts Firm, made possible by the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, has demonstrated the profound impact that intentional efforts in this area can have on an arts organization’s growth and outreach.

Are you looking to improve your organization’s digital discoverability? Reach out to The Arts Firm to discuss the future of your digital footprint.