What are the best tools and practices for data visualization in arts administration?

Data visualization is the process of presenting data in a graphical or visual form, such as charts, graphs, maps, or dashboards. It can help arts administrators communicate insights, trends, and patterns from their data to various audiences, such as funders, patrons, artists, or staff. In this article, we will explore some of the best tools and practices for data visualization in arts administration, and how they can enhance your work in the arts sector.

1 Why data visualization matters

Data visualization can help you tell a compelling story with your data, and show the impact and value of your arts organization or program. It can also help you identify gaps, opportunities, or challenges in your data, and inform your decision-making and planning. Data visualization can also make your data more accessible and engaging for your stakeholders, and help you build trust and credibility with them.

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Dr. Roque Diaz, PhD

Award-Winning DEI Practitioner | Arts & Culture Equity Strategist | Musician | Educator | Keynote Speaker | Community Connector | Empowering individuals and organizations to center DEI through workplace competencies
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Free, accessible tools like Canva, RawGraphs, Tableau Public, and Excel provide arts administrators simple yet powerful options for creating impactful data visualizations. Focusing on easy-to-grasp chart types with thoughtful design choices enhances comprehension and effectively communicates key insights.

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Gabriel Allen-Batieste, LLD plus nine PhDs

Flutist — ALM Mathematics for Teaching — Harvard Extension School
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Please clarify exactly what data visualization is and who is using it and/or seeing it? And why there seems to be a mandatory minimum in response to this article, am I speaking to and with an editor?

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2 How to choose a data visualization tool

When choosing a data visualization tool, you should consider the type and size of your data, the purpose and audience of your visualization, the design and functionality of the tool, the cost and availability, as well as the learning curve and support. Popular options for arts administrators include Tableau, Google Data Studio, Canva, and Excel. Tableau is a powerful and versatile tool with a free version for public use and a paid version for private use. It also has a large community and resources for learning and support. Google Data Studio is a free and easy-to-use tool that integrates with Google products. Canva is a free and user-friendly tool that lets you create beautiful graphics, infographics, flyers, posters, and social media posts. Excel is a familiar and widely-used tool that can help you organize, analyze, and visualize your data with various charts and graphs. However, it can be complex and time-consuming to learn and use.

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Aubrey Bergauer

“The Steve Jobs of classical music” (Observer) | #1 Bestselling Author: Run It Like A Business (2024) | TEDx speaker | Host: The Offstage Mic podcast | Follow 🔔 for the business of arts and culture.
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Canva is the GOAT when it comes to data visualization for arts orgs — especially for amateur designers. I use it for board decks, social media graphics, infographics, and web inspiration for all things data visualization.

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3 How to design a data visualization

Choosing the right data visualization tool is essential for creating a clear, accurate, and effective visualization. To do this, you need to understand your data, your audience, and the story you're trying to tell. Select a chart type that matches your data type, story, and audience; for example, a bar chart to compare categories, a line chart to show trends, or a pie chart to show proportions. Additionally, make sure to simplify and focus on the most important data points by removing any unnecessary elements and highlighting the relevant ones. Finally, test and refine your visualization by checking it for accuracy, clarity, and readability; ask for feedback from others; and make adjustments as needed.

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4 How to share a data visualization

When you have designed a data visualization, it is essential to share it with your audience in an appropriate and effective way. To do this, you should consider the right format, channel, and context. For example, when deciding the format, consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option like quality, size, interactivity, and accessibility. When selecting the channel, consider the best practices and etiquette of each one such as frequency, timing, tone, and engagement. Lastly, when choosing the context, think about the level of detail and language that is appropriate for your audience like source, methodology, key findings, or implications.

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5 How to learn more about data visualization

Data visualization is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice and feedback. There are many resources available to help you learn more about data visualization, such as online courses from Coursera, Udemy, edX, or DataCamp. You can also find useful information in books and blogs such as Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte, or FlowingData by Nathan Yau. Additionally, there are many communities and events that connect you with other data visualization enthusiasts and experts, such as Meetup groups, online forums, webinars, workshops, or conferences. Joining or attending these can be beneficial for networking and learning.

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Milica T.

Art Festival Administrator and Artist
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Tableau has a free learning tool for beginners on its website and also offers specific learning paths where you can access relevant tutorials based on your organisation's needs.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Sherry Nelson

Retired Classical Music Presenter
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“Stories Trump Data” (no relation to DJT) proved to be the most effective means of communicating concepts over the course of my fifty three year career as a performing arts presenter. When conveying information in the form of a story, people find it easier to remember than abstract charts/graphs/concepts.

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What are the best tools and practices for data visualization in arts administration?

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1 Why data visualization matters

2 How to choose a data visualization tool

3 How to design a data visualization

4 How to share a data visualization

5 How to learn more about data visualization

6 Here’s what else to consider

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