Digital culture: Analyzing the status and assessing the development
<b>Subject.</b> We analyze and evaluate the possibility of developing the ‘smart city’ concept, in particular, its ‘smart culture’ aspect. The relevance of the study increases in conditions of the quarantine, which causes restrictions on movement and visit to cultural institutions, like theaters, museums, libraries, etc. <b>Objectives.</b> The purpose is to identify the potential to improve the quality of life in the ‘smart culture’ direction, by assessing the capabilities of theaters in the Novosibirsk Oblast; to develop new indicators from the perspective of the digital economy. <b>Methods.</b> We use the statistical analysis of indicators that reflect the activities of cultural institutions. The study also employs the comparative analysis of indicators of Russia and the Novosibirsk Oblast in this sphere. <b>Results.</b> The paper analyzes trends in the number of professional theaters, spectators, and the share of theaters, having their websites in the Novosibirsk Oblast and Russia. We obtained the results of processed questionnaires and surveys of the population. On this basis, we formulated new indicators of the quality of life of the population for the ‘smart culture’ direction, and assessed the potential for its development under quarantine. <b>Conclusions.</b> The analysis shows that the ‘smart city’ concept has been developing, despite the introduction of quarantine measures to protect the population. Such measures as the development of websites and information portals that increase the accessibility of events (performances, exhibitions, etc.) for the population are in demand.