iCoDaCo
iCoDaCo is an international contemporary dance project with participants from twelve European countries, coordinated by ilDance. Museum.link helped them collect, structure and preserve video and image material through a closed app and a digital archive solution built for long-term use.
A living dance archive
iCoDaCo (International Contemporary Dance Collective) is an international collective and cultural exchange project for contemporary dance. Since 2012 the project has brought together dancers from twelve European countries in an ongoing artistic conversation.
Challenge
When iCoDaCo contacted Museum.link in 2025, they faced a growing need for documentation. Participants were producing large amounts of video and image material, but lacked:
- a simple way to collect material directly from participants
- secure, long-term storage
- an interface that felt like a natural part of their existing identity
Solution
In close dialogue with iCoDaCo we developed a closed collecting app, adapted specifically to their working process and aesthetic. The app was designed as an extension of their existing website and visual expression.
Since the collecting is not public, we built a registration and login solution where users get access only after approval by an administrator. This provides both security and full control over who contributes to the archive.
Collecting with context
In the app, participants can upload pictures and videos directly from their devices. In addition to basic metadata such as title, location and tags, we also developed project-specific fields, for example:
predefined tiers
estimated time for interacting with the material
This information strengthens the archive's long-term value – and also lets users filter and find their way around the material today.
User view and overview
Participants can browse, search and filter all uploaded material in the app. They can also go to their own profile to edit and manage their contributions.
Storage and administration
All material is stored securely in Museum.link's archive environment, built for long-term digital preservation. Administrators have a back end where they can:
- review and approve content
- edit metadata
- get an overview of the collection as a whole
Metadata is structured according to established heritage standards, and the collection can be exported via an API or in open file formats. This makes integration with other systems and national databases possible.
Result – an archive that supports the process
For iCoDaCo, the solution means that documentation is no longer a side track but an integrated part of the project. The archive reflects the artistic process, strengthens the collective memory and creates new opportunities for reflection, reuse and future research.
Disclaimer: iCoDaCo 2024-2027 is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
