Driving Digital Transformation in the Heritage Sector: Sartorius Digital and the DASH Survey

In 2021, Sartorius Digital led a strategic digital marketing and outreach campaign to support the DASH (Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage) survey—an important initiative designed to assess digital skills across the UK heritage sector.

Working alongside The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Heritage Alliance, and Timmus Research, the campaign helped engage museums, galleries, and cultural organisations in understanding and improving their digital capabilities.

What is the DASH Survey?

The DASH survey (Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage) was developed to evaluate how heritage and cultural organisations were using digital tools, and to identify gaps in digital skills and training.

At a time when digital engagement became essential, the survey provided critical insights into how organisations could improve efficiency, reach wider audiences, and future-proof their operations.

Engaging Museums and Cultural Organisations Across the UK

As part of the campaign, Sartorius Digital conducted targeted outreach to professionals working in:

• Museums

• Art galleries

• Cultural and heritage organisations

The goal was to better understand how digital tools were being used in day-to-day operations, from audience engagement to internal processes. These insights helped highlight the growing need for structured digital training within the heritage sector.

Digital Marketing Strategy for Heritage Organisations

Sartorius Digital implemented a multi-channel digital marketing strategy to maximise awareness and participation in the DASH survey.

Key campaign activities included:

• Creative design: Development of engaging visual assets for digital platforms

• Social media marketing: Targeted campaigns to reach heritage professionals

• Email marketing: Direct outreach to increase survey responses

• PR and digital communications: Securing online coverage and sector visibility

This integrated approach ensured strong engagement across the UK cultural sector and positioned the DASH survey as a key digital transformation initiative.

The DASH Champions Initiative: Building Digital Leadership

A major innovation introduced by Sartorius Digital was the DASH Champions initiative.

This concept encouraged individuals within larger heritage organisations to take the lead in assessing digital skills and promoting internal development. DASH Champions acted as advocates for digital transformation, helping their organisations:

• Evaluate existing digital capabilities

• Identify skills gaps

• Encourage adoption of new digital tools and techniques

This initiative played a vital role in embedding digital thinking within organisational structures.

Supporting Digital Skills Through Webinars and Training

To further promote digital adoption, Sartorius Digital organised and delivered a series of webinars focused on digital strategy and innovation in the heritage sector.

Webinar topics included:

• Digital marketing for museums and cultural organisations

• Improving audience engagement through digital channels

• Emerging digital trends in the heritage sector

• Practical tools for increasing operational efficiency

These sessions provided actionable insights and helped organisations build confidence in adopting digital solutions.

Impact on the Heritage Sector

The DASH survey campaign contributed to a broader understanding of digital transformation in the heritage sector. By combining research, outreach, and strategic marketing, Sartorius Digital helped:

• Increase awareness of digital skills gaps

• Encourage participation in sector-wide research

• Support the development of future training programmes

• Promote innovation across cultural organisations

As digital continues to reshape how cultural organisations operate, initiatives like the DASH survey remain essential. Sartorius Digital’s work in promoting the survey demonstrates the value of combining digital marketing expertise with sector insight to drive meaningful change.

Through collaboration with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Heritage Alliance, and Timmus Research, this project helped lay the foundation for a more digitally confident and capable heritage sector.