GLAM/Newsletter/October 2025/Contents/Poland report

This Month in GLAM – Volume XV, Issue X, October 2025

Poland report

Promoting Open Data and Digital Commons in Culture and Research

Wikimedia Polska at “Open Data in Art Research” Seminar in Vienna

On October 8, Wikimedia Polska took part in the international seminar Open Data in Art Research: Practices and Innovations in Museum Collaboration held at the Polish Academy of Sciences – Vienna Science Center.

The seminar was jointly organized by the Polish Academy of Sciences – Vienna Science Center, the CHC Digital Humanities Centre at the Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and The Network for Digital Art History in Austria (DArtHist Austria).

The event brought together researchers and practitioners from Poland and Austria to exchange experiences and showcase innovative uses of open data in art and museum research.

Representing Wikimedia Polska, Katarzyna Makowska (Open Science Manager) and Kamila Neuman (Open Culture Manager) presented Opening Cultural and Research Institutions with Wikimedia Projects, highlighting how Wikimedia platforms empower institutions to share and open their collections.

The seminar also featured case studies from the Belvedere Museum, Wikidata-based projects, and research on augmented reality, as well as a hands-on workshop on implementing F.A.I.R. principles in art and heritage research.

Participation in the event helped strengthen connections between the Wikimedia and academic communities, fostering new opportunities for collaboration in the open knowledge ecosystem.

Wikimedia Polska warmly thanks the organizers for the invitation and inspiring exchange.

Digital Culture Forum 2025: Wikimedia Polska on caring for the digital commons

From October 23–24, Wikimedia Polska took part in the Digital Culture Forum 2025 (Forum Kultury Cyfrowej) in Gdańsk — an annual event organized by the Institute of Urban Culture that gathers professionals from the cultural, creative, and tech sectors. This year’s theme focused on the potential of the creative sector for culture, and Wikimedia Polska was one of the event’s partners.

Kamila Neuman, Open Culture Manager at Wikimedia Polska, delivered a talk titled Legally, Creatively, Responsibly. How the Creative Sector Can Use Open Cultural Resources.

Her presentation introduced the idea of the digital commons — open resources created and maintained by volunteers and GLAM partners — as the modern equivalent of shared community goods. Kamila explored how to use Wikimedia Commons responsibly, highlighting the importance of proper attribution, ethical reuse, and community care as ways to sustain the ecosystem of free culture. Through practical examples, she showed how open resources can inspire creative work while reminding that what is shared must also be respected.

Reflecting on the event, Kamila emphasized that the conversation about the digital commons is more relevant than ever:

It was inspiring to talk about the ‘better side of the internet’ — and how we can take care of what is shared, for everyone’s benefit. The Forum reminds me how important it is to see technology from different perspectives and to keep space for reflection and dialogue.

On the second day of the conference, Kamila also gave an interview to journalist Filip Jędruch from Radio Gdańsk, together with Karina Rojek, the event’s organizer from the Institute of Urban Culture. They discussed open cultural resources and Wikimedia projects, highlighting how open knowledge initiatives connect culture, technology, and creativity.

Participation in the Forum strengthened cooperation between Wikimedia Polska and the creative community in Poland, promoting responsible, collaborative, and creative engagement with open cultural heritage.

Read more (in Polish) on the Digital Culture Forum website.

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