BFSG in the museum
Find out how the Accessibility Improvement Act (BFSG) is changing the museum.
Digital transformation is a crucial factor for museums to remain relevant and engaging in today's world. It enables museums to tap into new visitor segments and improve interaction with the public.
Since Chat GPT at the latest, it has been clear that AI will find an application in museums. The use of artificial intelligence, social media and advanced digital technologies promises not only to change the visitor experience in museums, but also to revolutionize internal processes. But where should a museum even start? How can museums overcome the challenges of digital transformation without feeling overwhelmed and at the same time ensure that data protection and user-friendliness are guaranteed?
The first question to ask is: why is it important to address the digital transformation of museums? By tackling these challenges head-on, museums can not only optimize their operations and improve the visitor experience, but also take a leading role in the cultural landscape of the digital era.
Increasing accessibility: Digital technologies extend the reach of museums by offering virtual tours and digital collections that are accessible worldwide. There are also new opportunities for inclusive and accessible offerings.
Interactive experiences: The use of contemporary audio guide systems, augmented and virtual reality can revolutionize the way visitors experience art and culture by creating interactive and immersive experiences.
Personalizing the visitor experience: AI-powered systems can offer personalized recommendations - providing guided tours based on visitors' interests and behavior, for example.
Apps were at the cutting edge 10 years ago. But does my museum need its own app? Many museum apps are rarely downloaded, which often doesn't justify the investment. But a lot has happened since then. Contemporary technologies offer museums innovative ways to showcase their collections and enhance the visitor experience. Here are three key technologies that are increasingly being used in museums.
Web apps: Enable an interactive tour of the museum and can provide audio guides, videos, texts in translation and other information (as well as offline).
Attractive website and social media: Offer visitors the opportunity to experience positive interaction in advance. It's all about the basics: The website should make it clear at first glance when the museum is open. Attractive images and short, exciting headlines arouse curiosity and invite people to visit the exhibition. Social media accounts such as TikTok or Instagram are not fed with the same information, but offer deeper insights behind the scenes and an exciting perspective on exhibition topics.
Data analysis and visitor management: Systems for recording and analyzing visitor data help to better plan exhibitions and optimize marketing strategies. Which stations are actually used? Which ones are skipped? Smart Museum Guides can provide analyses and feedback here. This gives you an initial indication of what can be improved.
In the cultural sector, where both financial and human resources are often limited, the development of a digital strategy for museums must always take into account the resources available. An effective digital strategy sets realistic goals that are achievable with the resources available, rather than creating unattainable fantasies. A mission statement can be helpful.
The introduction of digital technologies in a museum requires careful planning and implementation. The following steps will help to ensure a successful digital transformation.
Analysis and strategy development: An analysis of your existing infrastructure helps to establish the status quo. Do we have WLAN / WIFI in the building? What digital services are available so far? Who is responsible for IT and data protection or digital projects? A vision can be developed based on this. It is important to focus on the visitor's perspective. Goals and the definition of the required technologies should be determined based on the needs of the visitors. When it comes to internal solutions, the focus is on the person using them.
Involving and training staff: It is essential to involve every area of the institution that has digital touchpoints in the development of the digital strategy. The team should be involved right from the start. There is not just one person responsible, but cross-functional responsibility throughout the organization. This ensures that employees are familiar with the vision and ultimately with the new technologies and can use them effectively. This is the only way to implement a digital strategy in practice in the long term.
Determining who is responsible: To ensure that there is clear project management, it is worth forming a team of 2 to 3 colleagues. They organize, communicate and develop workshops and specific projects together with internal and external partners.
Partnerships with technology providers: Select reliable technology partners for the development and implementation of digital solutions. What experience do you have with museums? Are there similar examples or institutions? What can help: Look at specific case studies and obtain references.
In order to assess the success of digital strategies, it is important to define clear criteria and measurement methods. These three aspects are crucial for evaluating effectiveness.
Feedback and visitor satisfaction: Most important: How is the museum experience for your visitors? User testing and collecting feedback is key to measuring the impact on satisfaction. Even if you are introducing a new database for employees: Collect feedback and make adjustments on an ongoing basis.
Return on Investment (ROI): Even if we struggle with this at the museum: calculating the financial return on the funds invested in digital projects. If a museum app has cost a high 5- or even 6-figure sum, how do you justify low usage figures and downloads? The same applies to livestreams, social media agencies and other investments: was it worth the effort? In some cases, it takes time to gather truly visible results and comparable figures. But it's worth keeping an eye on these aspects.
Visitor numbers and engagement: Of course, we don't like to be defined by numbers. Nevertheless, it is important to monitor visitor numbers and engagement. Specifically, this means how the number of visitors and their interactions change after the introduction of digital tools. This is a crucial task that we need to address.
A comprehensive digital strategy enhances a museum's impact through the creation and implementation of innovative digital products, content, and experiences. It amplifies public awareness of and engagement with the museum's brand, exhibitions, collection, interpretation, educational content, and public programs. The strategy plays a crucial role in bolstering the museum's financial health by ensuring positive online user experiences across physical and digital platforms. This strategic approach enables the museum to stay relevant and audience-centric in an increasingly digital world.
The future of museums is increasingly shaped by technological innovations and digital strategies. In a world that is changing ever faster, the ability to respond with agility and adapt new technologies is crucial to the success and relevance of cultural institutions.
Museums face many challenges. On the one hand, museums must design their offerings to be both educational and entertaining while appealing to a broad and diverse audience. The integration of artificial intelligence, virtual reality and interactive digital interfaces offers enormous opportunities to revolutionize the way visitors experience art and culture. But the question always arises - is this hype or fundamental change? In my opinion, it is a paradigm shift.
In the coming years, it will be important to use these technologies wisely, not only to increase accessibility and engagement, but also to create genuine, enriching and sustainable visitor experiences.
How are great audio experiences created?
