How do you create great storytelling?
Good storytelling can be easily achieved by following a few simple rules.
The Institute for Research on Cultural Participation published a revealing study at the end of 2023. It found that museums, theaters and concert halls must fear for their future audiences. At the same time, teenagers and young adults made up around half of the 37,000 visitors to Museum Night Basel. How did this come about? Why is the Long Night of Museums so popular? And what can we learn from the Museum Night?
The Institute for Research on Cultural Participation's study Cultural institutions under (post-pandemic) pressure to change - how to achieve a different relevance? found that...
❌ traditional cultural offerings are perceived as unattractive.
❌ younger audiences lack participatory and relaxed formats as well as a focus on topics such as diversity and sustainability.
❌ people under 30 in particular feel out of place and want fresher and more varied formats.
💡In short: there is a general decline in the frequency of visits to traditional cultural offerings. This means that interest in museums is also declining.
The concept of the "Long Night" has spread throughout Europe. The aim is to draw attention to cultural institutions and inspire new visitors. The Museum Night offers an ideal opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy cultural diversity together and unite in a shared experience. What makes a museum night successful? And why do people queue up to go to the museum?
Museum Night offers a unique opportunity to enjoy cultural institutions in a different light. History, art & science can be experienced up close - but with a special flair. In addition to the exhibitions, there are often a variety of activities such as live music, workshops, interactive programs and performances. Many museum nights also offer free or heavily discounted admission for young visitors. This lowers barriers to entry and invites people to visit spontaneously.
Food, drinks, guided tours and workshops for everyone. Visitors to the Museum Night in Basel were able to...
💄 get dressed up by drag queens (Kunstmuseum Basel)
💔 have their own feelings drawn (Cartoonmuseum Basel)
🎤 experience spoken word performances(Helvetia Art Foyer)
🎨 create 3D creatures in augmented reality (Haus der Elektronischen Künste)
In a nutshell: The museum is staged - and perceived - as a lively, varied and accessible place.
👉 What can we learn from the Museum Night?
✅ Demonstrate a concrete link to the present
✅ Develop participatory and interactive formats
✅ Communication at eye level
Basel museums developed short audio tours with exciting highlights around the Museum Night - from the Museum of Cultures to the Swiss Architecture Museum and the Tram Museum. This gives visitors a glimpse behind the scenes - directly from the curators, mediators and experts. As at the Long Night of Museums in Zurich, the offer was particularly well received and rated extremely highly by visitors.
How are great audio experiences created?
