People are consuming and connecting with culture online like never before. That is why we are delighted that Google (recently voted the number 1 brand in the UK) has become our most recent Principal Member.
Google has recently announced a number of partnershipswith cultural bodies, in particular with Bletchley Park and the Science Museum. Google executive Simon Meacham has been supporting Bletchley Park's fundraising efforts and last year helped the Trust to purchase Alan Turing's papers. Peter Barron, head of external relations for Google in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: "I don't think it is an exaggeration to say that without Alan Turing, Google in the form we know it would not exist.”
Google and the Science Museum have also announced that the Museum will use a gift from Google to fund an exhibition in 2012 marking the centenary of Alan Turing’s birth and a new permanent display, Making Modern Communications, that will explore the history of information and communication technologies and is scheduled to open in Summer 2014.
Google has also been at the forefront of increasing awareness of the possibilities of digital marketing for arts and heritage bodies. The Let’s Get Real campaign in conjunction with Culture 24 was the start of an undertaking to bring the arts and the internet closer together. As part of Arts & Business’ joint work Google will be hosting a special day linking macro digital themes alongside practical issues around Adwords, Places, G and Google Grants - all looking to build audiences and funding streams for our arts partners.