Beyond individual expression: working with cultural institutions

The digital storytelling genre originated by the Center for Digital Storytelling trains citizens to create their own story, in their own voice, without interference from media professionals. We suggest that the genre is a reactive â- rather than interactive â- medium whose strength lies in its prescriptive format. This format provides a method and tools to support the individual creative process. However, this emphasis on individual expression may limit the sustainability of the genre. Using examples of community co-creation and distribution projects, we argue that a strategic teambased approach to participatory content creation may provide a more sustainable approach for communities and organisations engaged in this kind of collaboration.