Whilst it appears that a few large corporations control the digital realm, the truth is that there are plenty of opportunities and alternatives – By recognising the technologies that Museums and Galleries currently use and understanding the issues they encounter, we can identify alternatives, create integrations or build custom solutions together. The result is a community toolkit that’s more economically viable, and better serves the specific needs of the sector.
We believe that community tech has the potential to empower Museums & Galleries and create positive change, and we are committed to supporting this movement.
The increasing influence of, and relience upon, large technology companies is evident across all aspects of society, there is a need to protect and ensure that the benefits of technology are realised at a community level.
Our vision is to facilitate and deliver the technology that meets the needs of all Museums & Galleries. Wether this is acieved by adapting existing digital products or building new hardware and software, our goal is to empower the sector to grow better.
This platform and everyone involved wiyh it is committed to supporting Museums & Galleries to harness power and create positive change.
Our mission is to work collaboratively with Museums & Galleries (and the wider community) to explore and invest in the development of community tech. Our goal is to ensure that each organisation involved in the sector have access to, and ownership of, technology that is tailored to their specific needs, respects their autonomy, and maximises the value within their locality, collection and community.
What is Museums & Galleries Community Tech?
Community tech refers to any hardware or software that benefits a community group and that the group has the authority to influence or control. Community groups may create technology for their own use or for use by other groups, or to be governed or adapted by other groups.
This means that community groups have influence or control over these technologies because they either created them or have ownership rights or governance powers over them. As a result, community tech can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the community and can be held accountable to its members.
The benefits of community tech include:
We believe that our community tech approach can democratise technology and ensure that it benefits local communities around Museums & Galleries, the sector as a whole and support the common good:
1: Increased access to technology for all:
Community tech can provide access to technology that might otherwise be unavailable or unaffordable to community members.
2: Community ownership and control:
Community tech empowers community members to have ownership and control over the technology that they use, enabling them to tailor it to their specific needs and priorities.
3: Collaborative and participatory approach:
The development and use of community tech involve collaboration and participation of community members, ensuring that the technology meets their needs and priorities.
4: Empowerment of community members:
Community tech empowers community members to become active participants in the technology ecosystem, rather than passive consumers.
5: Addressing local challenges:
Community tech can be tailored to address local challenges and priorities, making it more relevant and effective for community members.
6: Cost-effectiveness:
Community tech can be developed and maintained at a lower cost than commercial technology, making it more accessible to communities with limited resources.
We are committed to a more sustainable and resilient sector
Despite their own hardship, Museums & Galleries, leaders, volunteers, staff and support organisations continually demonstrate remarkable dedication and agility, working tirelessly to improve the places where they operate and the audiences they support – before and during the pandemic.
As we recover from the pandemic, cost of living crisis and prepare for future challenges like climate change, museums and galleries, like other community organisations have a crucial role to play.
To meet these challenges, museums and galleries need to continually evolve and improve, and we are committed to supporting them in this effort.
Our support will focus on helping museums and galleries to evolve their business models and enhance their use of digital systems to increase their resilience. We recognise that museums, galleries and the wider sector are already taking action, and we are committed to working alongside them to build a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
What we’d like to see
- Improved capabilities amongst museums and galleries to respond to the challenges following the pandemic
- Sustainable growth and resilliance across the Sector
- More community-led and owned solutions across the Sector
- Museums and galleries developing community-led solutions to net zero
- Expanded reach of funding and support for museums and galleries as a whole from other funders and government
Community tech ideas
- Virtual Exhibitions: Museums and galleries can create virtual exhibitions to make their collections accessible to a wider audience. This can be done using virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) technology, allowing people to explore exhibitions from the comfort of their own homes.
- Mobile Apps: Museums and galleries can develop mobile apps to provide visitors with information about the exhibits, maps, and interactive experiences. These apps can be used to guide visitors through the exhibits and provide them with additional information and context.
- Online Collections: Museums and galleries can create online collections that allow people to browse and explore the collections from anywhere in the world. This can be done using digital imaging and cataloging tools, making it easier for people to discover and learn about the collections.
- Interactive Exhibits: Museums and galleries can incorporate interactive exhibits that use technology to engage visitors and provide them with a more immersive experience. This can include touchscreens, interactive displays, and games.
- Social Media Engagement: Museums and galleries can use social media to engage with their audience and promote their exhibits. This can include live streaming events, behind-the-scenes tours, and interactive experiences.
- Digital Learning: Museums and galleries can use technology to provide online learning resources, including webinars, podcasts, and video tutorials. This can make it easier for people to learn about the collections and topics related to the exhibits.
- Integrations
