Arts Council England (ACE) has revealed that eight cultural organisations have been chosen to spearhead digital research and development projects over the coming 12 months.

The groups will net support from the £500,000 Digital Research and Development Fund for Arts and Culture, run by Nesta, ACE and the Arts and Humanities Research Council.

Nearly 500 projects bid for support following the fund's launch in June, with Battersea Arts Council, London (£75,920) and the Imperial War Museum (£84,500) among the recipients.

London Symphony Orchestra; Exhibition Road Cultural Group; New Art Exchange; and the Sage, Gateshead, have also secured funding.

The remaining organisations to have been successful in their application are Punchdrunk and Site gallery, working with Lighthouse and Caper.

ACE chief executive Alan Davey said: "Each of these successful projects show incredible creativity in embracing technology and partnering with technology organisations in new and exciting ways."

Details: www.artscouncil.org.uk