Enhancing Attraction and Engagement of el Museo de las Conceptas through Digitalization

Howie, Elizabeth; Pilja, Jan; Fede, Adeline; Jalbert, John

Student Work

Enhancing Attraction and Engagement of el Museo de las Conceptas through Digitalization

Pubblico Deposited

Museums are a pillar in the preservation and safeguarding of culture and serve as an educational space to promote cultural understanding. Despite their significance, such institutions are met with critical challenges. Globally, museum attendance has experienced a significant decline, which has only been exacerbated by the pandemic. El Museo de las Conceptas, like many other institutions globally, is not immune to this trend. The repercussions of reduced attendance have brought to light shortcomings in the museum's engagement strategies. These deficiencies can be attributed to various factors including insufficient information regarding certain collections, limited activities to draw children's interest, and an underdeveloped online and media presence. This reveals the potential for growth, and in consideration of these faults, the following objectives were formed: develop an engaging tool towards a youthful audience, increase attraction and accessibility through virtual tools, and finally enhance information accessibility within the museum. Utilizing a comprehensive approach involving content analysis, archival research, ethnography, and semi-structured interviews, this study yielded valuable insights and outcomes. In employing a multimethod approach, several key insights emerged: the significance of social media, the impact of interactive approaches on youth engagement, and the role of information accessibility in shaping the visitor experience. These methods not only highlighted the challenges the museum currently faces but also pointed towards potential strategies for improvement. The development of bilingual pamphlets, a virtual tour, a social media strategy, and interactive youth activities were deemed key initiatives that address these challenges and contribute to a more dynamic and collaborative cultural space. The series of informative pamphlets stationed within each room detail the significance of the exhibited collections or individual pieces and eliminate the barrier to information accessibility within the museum. To develop youth engagement, an incentivized scavenger hunt was created that ensures the understanding and interaction of exhibits, alongside interactive questions strategically placed throughout the museum's rooms. Furthermore, to extend the museum's reach and accessibility online, a dynamic virtual tour has been established, catering to a broader audience beyond the physical confines of the museum walls. The implementation of these deliverables will result in a notable enhancement of the museum's overall engagement and impact.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

Subject

Publisher