As technology continues to take up space in users’ lives, it is a continuous battle for organizations to hold their attention. Museums have struggled with this fact and are incorporating innovative technology, frequently incorporating the user into the museum exhibits. Over the past few years, immersive exhibits have increased dramatically in popularity. Some project images on walls surrounding visitors, others invite visitors to contribute to the work itself; some take a less direct interactive approach while still immersing the visitor, such as the use of virtual or audio tours, high-quality online images, or an adaptable website.
“We live in an experience world,” says Sreenivasan. “People want experiences.”
Museums and libraries alike understand how reliant their users are on their mobile devices. When browsing collections, mobile maps are frequently referred to over paper maps, whether it is for ease of use or to “save paper.” Having an easy-to-navigate, mobile-friendly site is essential for any modern business. The MET has been a forerunner in creating a syncretic mobile site that complements users’ in-person visits (Titlow, 2016). For guests who cannot make it into the museum for a visit but still want to see the iconic works housed at the MET, they have worked on capturing high-quality images of their collections, which can be viewed on their site for free. This provides an enormous benefit to those who cannot visit in person by still providing users with access to impactful work. They’ve implemented technology
Another interactive use of technology that is a personal favorite of mine are audio tours. Many museums use QR codes that allow users to deep-dive into specific artworks, linking to additional information about each piece. The Los Angeles Museum of Art (LACMA) is one that stands out in particular. For many of their ongoing exhibits, they offer self-guided audio tours. Unlike many other audio tours that frequently incorporate QR codes per piece on the tour, where the individual must scan a code for each piece to receive additional information, tours at LACMA only require phone use upon the start of the tour. From there, the audio guides through the exhibit, informing the patron when to turn, how many steps to take, and which piece to focus on. This allows for an almost entirely phone-free tour, versus having to scan a QR code per piece.
As much as I love self-guided tours, which allow me to go through a museum at my own pace. The inclusivity and mindfulness occurring at the PENN Museum is a program I would love to see incorporated into my local museum and many more (Ulaby, 2022). I find I enjoy museum, artist, or author talks when the topics are spoken on by people who have a vested interest in the medium. Leaning on refugees to speak about pieces from their homeland is a beautiful way to honor the person and the pieces, while simultaneously acknowledging where the items come from and welcoming refugees in the community.
Titlow, J. (2016, February 29). How A 145-Year-Old Art Museum Stays Relevant In The Smartphone Age. Fast Company. https://www.fastcompany.com/3057236/how-a-145-year-old-art-museum-stays-relevant-in-the-smartphone-age
Ulaby, N. (Host). (2020, February 17). Refugee Docents Help Bring A Museum’s Global Collection To Life. [Audio podcast episode]. In All Things Considered. https://www.npr.org/2020/02/17/795920834/refugee-docents-help-bring-a-museums-global-collection-to-life?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_term=nprnews&utm_campaign=npr