What the Interaction Consortium does

The Interaction Consortium is a Sydney-based digital agency founded in 2009 that builds websites and content platforms exclusively for galleries, libraries, archives, and museums (the GLAM sector). The firm's core technology is GLAMkit, a proprietary content management framework built on the Django web framework and Wagtail CMS, with pre-built features for events, exhibitions, and collection handling. GLAMkit is deployed as a copy-and-customize bootstrap project rather than a modular library, allowing each implementation to be tailored while reusing common museum-specific code, including the open-source python-edtf library for parsing complex historical and geological dates.

The business operates as a professional services firm, with revenue derived from custom web development projects (CMS implementation, data migrations, complex integrations) and digital strategy consulting. The firm is deeply specialized in integrating museum back-office systems, including collection management systems (Axiell EMu), ticketing and CRM platforms (Tessitura, Spektrix, Centaman), digital asset management (Fotoware), e-commerce (Shopify), and donor CRMs (Raiser's Edge, ThankQ). Its client roster includes the National Gallery of Australia, Australian Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia, SFMOMA, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, and Factory International in Manchester.

The go-to-market is enterprise field sales grounded in GLAM-sector reputation, referrals, conference presence (including MAPDA and A11y Camp), and a content program (blog, podcast, case studies). Pricing is bespoke and project-based, typically won through RFP or proposal processes. The company is privately held, independent, and bootstrapped, with no external funding rounds or parent company disclosed. Leadership is anchored by co-founders Dr Greg Turner and Dr Alastair Weakley, with CEO Tim Mansfield in place since 2016.

Name

the Interaction Consortium

Legal name

The Interaction Consortium

Website

https://interaction.net.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Interaction Consortium is a Sydney-based digital agency that builds custom websites and content platforms for museums and cultural institutions using its proprietary GLAMkit CMS on Django and Wagtail, serving clients such as the National Gallery of Australia, Australian Museum, and SFMOMA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chippendale

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Web Development Services: Custom website design and development services for cultural institutions including museums, galleries, and arts organisations. Projects include CMS implementation, data migrations, integrations with ticketing/CRM systems, and ongoing maintenance.
2. Consulting & Strategy: Digital strategy consulting for cultural institutions including information architecture, UX design, and digital transformation advisory services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Interaction Consortium is a specialized digital agency that designs, builds, and migrates websites for museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. Its core offering centers on custom website development using its proprietary GLAMkit CMS framework (built on Django and Wagtail), including complex integrations with ticketing systems (Tessitura, Spektrix, Centaman), CRM platforms, and collection management systems (EMu). Services span CMS implementation, large-scale content migrations, collection search, accessible design, and ongoing maintenance.

Product overview

The Interaction Consortium is a specialized web development agency for cultural institutions, primarily serving museums and art galleries. Their core offering consists of custom website development using the Django/Wagtail tech stack with their proprietary GLAMkit CMS framework, which is copied and customized for each project. Key services include Wagtail CMS implementations, data migration for large content sets (10,000+ pages), collection search solutions integrated with EMu, Tessitura and Spektrix ticketing integrations, and digital publication platforms. They also maintain the open-source python-edtf library for museum date handling and offer ongoing maintenance through SiteCare. Their project portfolio spans major Australian cultural institutions (National Gallery of Australia, Australian Museum, Art Gallery of South Australia) as well as international clients (SFMOMA, Factory International UK).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GLAMkit: A base code/content management system developed by The Interaction Consortium for museums and arts organizations, built on Django and Wagtail frameworks
• SiteCare

Products and services

• GLAMkit Proprietary Django/Wagtail-based content management system framework purpose-built for museums and arts organizations, with pre-built features for events, exhibitions, and collection handling. Used as a bootstrap project copied and customized for each client implementation.
• Web Development Services Custom website design, development, and re-platforming services for museums, galleries, and arts organisations, including CMS implementation, data migrations, and integrations with ticketing, CRM, and collection management systems.
• Digital Strategy Consulting Digital strategy, information architecture, UX design, and digital transformation advisory services for cultural institutions.
• SiteCare Django maintenance service providing ongoing website support, monitoring, and updates for sites built by the Interaction Consortium.
• python-edtf

Quantifiable outcome

• NGA website with 100k+ artworks integrated and 11M+ annual visitors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Wagtail CMScoreTechnology or IntegrationOpen source CMS built on Django framework, used as foundation for IC's GLAMkit proprietary CMS. Core technology platform for museum website builds.
• Django (Python web framework)coreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary web framework used for building museum websites and custom integrations. IC has deep Django expertise and contributes to community (Django Code of Conduct Committee).
• EMu (Axiell)coreTechnology or IntegrationCollection management system integrated for multiple museum clients including NGA, AGSA. IC has developed expertise in EMu API integration for displaying collection data and images.
• TessituracoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor CRM/ticketing platform for museums. IC has extensive experience integrating Tessitura with museum websites including SFMOMA, ACMI. Developed middleware approach for Tessitura integration.
• CentamanmajorTechnology or IntegrationTicketing and membership system integrated for Australian Museum website alongside ThankQ CRM and Fotoware DAMS.
• SpektrixmajorTechnology or IntegrationTicketing and CRM system integrated for Factory International website, enabling seamless ticket purchasing for Manchester International Festival events.
• ElasticSearchcoreTechnology or IntegrationUsed for indexing and searching artwork collections (alongside regular website pages) for NGA and AGSA collection searches.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ideum: US-based firm designing and developing interactive exhibits, touch tables, and digital experiences for museums. Comparable in the cultural sector digital experience space, with overlap on digital publication and interactive platform projects.
• Bluecadet: Philadelphia-based digital agency that designs and builds websites, apps, and interactive experiences for museums and cultural institutions. Most directly comparable to IC in GLAM sector focus, with similar award-winning museum web projects and a comparable specialized boutique positioning.
• Torchbox: UK-based digital agency that is the leading enterprise Wagtail CMS implementation partner. Closely comparable to IC's Wagtail/Django technology stack, with cultural sector work and similar boutique open-source CMS specialization.
• Local Projects: New York-based experience design firm specializing in museums, cultural institutions, and public spaces. Comparable in that it combines design and technology for cultural sector clients, though more focused on physical/digital installations than websites.
• Second Story: US-based interactive experience studio for museums, brands, and cultural attractions. Peer in cultural sector design/tech services, with broader scope including exhibit interactives that overlap with IC's digital publication platform work.
• Stimulant: US-based experience design and digital product agency working with museums, brands, and cultural institutions. Comparable in scope of digital experience work for cultural clients, including web and interactive experiences.

Regional players

• Culture24 (The Audience Agency): UK-based cultural sector digital services organization serving museums, galleries, and heritage sites. Comparable as a specialized digital partner for the UK GLAM sector, with adjacent cultural sector technology focus.

Emerging players

• Cuseum: Boston-based technology company providing digital engagement tools (mobile apps, AR, interactive tours) for museums and cultural organizations. Adjacent overlap with IC's GLAM digital platform work, though Cuseum focuses on a productized engagement layer rather than full website builds.

Broad incumbents

• Tessitura Network: US-based software company providing the leading CRM/ticketing platform for arts and cultural organizations. Comparable as a critical technology partner that IC integrates with, but operates as a broader incumbent SaaS platform rather than a specialized implementation agency.
• Axiell: Sweden-based software company providing collection management systems (including EMu) for museums, libraries, and archives. Comparable as a core systems vendor IC integrates with, with broader global presence and productized SaaS vs IC's custom services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/_theic_
• Facebookfacebook.com/theinteractionconsortium
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-interaction-consortium

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about the Interaction Consortium