Jonathan Witmer’s Post

Conference of CIMUSET Vienna 2024 "Within the Digital. Opportunities and Challenges in Science Museums." 2-4 September 2024 ICOM CIMUSET (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Science and Technology) Technisches Museum Wien mit Österreichischer Mediathek Key Themes: Museums constantly evolve to stay relevant in the digital age. As a result, museums are increasingly expanding into the digital space to become a more democratic and inclusive field of action. The new definition of a museum, adopted in 2022, states that museums research, collect, conserve, interpret, and exhibit tangible and intangible heritage. But how do we deal with intangible, ephemeral, and born-digital materials? The new definition also highlights that museums should be accessible and work with the participation of communities. How can we enable this within the digital? The three-day conferences will offer lectures, panel discussions, and workshops based on specific case studies and/or specific relevant questions in digital management, collection, preservation, education, and marketing. These workshops continue to delve deeper into the topics raised by the presentations with the idea of sharing real experiences and practices. The workshops will be integrated into the conference and don’t require registration in advance. Registration Now Open: https://lnkd.in/dWJiYUTj

Check out this recent article. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

I highly recommend Bevin Savage Yamazaki’s latest blog post on “The Evolution of the Museum.” Bevin dives into how museums are being reimagined not just as places for preservation, but as vibrant, community-centered spaces. The shift to designing multipurpose spaces and “unexpected ephemeral experiences” is crucial for keeping museums connected to the people they serve. If you’re interested in how cultural institutions can drive social impact, take a moment to read this. #Museums #CommunityInstitutions #CulturalSpaces #SocialImpact

🚀 The German Museums Association (Deutscher Museumsbund) has launched the project ‘Zertifizierung “Nachhaltige Museen” – Vom Wollen zum Machen’ (‘Sustainable Museums’ Certification – From wanting to doing). 🌱 This initiative aims to develop and implement a museum-specific #sustainability certification in Germany by the end of 2025, tailored to the unique needs of the #museum sector.

Great news to see that Minister for State for Museums (among his many other responsibilities), Chris Bryant, will be addressing the Museums Association Conference at Royal Armouries Museum on 12 November. It's an opportunity to hear how museums can both contribute to and benefit from the new government's cross-cutting, missions-based approach. It's also a great opportunity to formulate ideas and questions for a really important discussion to close the conference on 13 November, led by a panel, featuring Lord Chris Smith, Tony Butler, Laura Pye, and Zak Mensah - to explore the new ideas, new strategies and new alliances that museums will need to make to forge a sustainable future in some very uncertain times. I'll be holding a mic' and trying to direct the questions and interventions - so make sure you come with some good ones. I'm looking at the Autumn budget just now, noting that, in real cash terms, by far the largest part of the growth in combined revenue and capital funding between this year and next year will go into sustaining health and social care and education - while departments like DCMS, MHCLG, Business & Trade will take a real terms cut. If we need innovation to drive a new industrial strategy and growth to sustain culture and communities - it sounds as if our government will need help coming up with ideas... and what better place to start than with you? See you in Leeds for some conversations that really matter. https://lnkd.in/evCTdhB8 #Museums2024

🖼️ The Transformation of the Museum der Moderne Salzburg Between 2018 and 2022, the Museum der Moderne Salzburg embarked on a journey of transformation, reshaping not only its physical space but also its cultural footprint under the visionary leadership of Thorsten Sadowsky. 🌟 Visionary Leadership As Director from September 2018 to September 2022, Thorsten Sadowsky was instrumental in developing a new vision and mission for the Museum. His leadership saw the adoption of a set of values that galvanized the entire Museum team, driving extensive renovations and repositioning the Museum as a vibrant hub of art, photography, and visual arts. 🛠️ Extensive Renovations and International Standards The renovation measures undertaken were comprehensive, upgrading various Museum buildings to align with international standards for barrier-free access. This commitment to inclusivity has not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the Museum but also made it more accessible to a broader audience. 🗣️ A Forum for Critical Discussion Under Sadowsky's guidance, the Museum repositioned itself as an international center of competence for image cultures. It embraced its role as a forum for discussion, taking a critical stance towards both historical and contemporary issues. This approach has invigorated the Museum's agenda, making it a beacon for contemporary art and socially relevant debates. 🌍 Addressing Postcolonialism and Global Perspectives The Museum's agenda included a critical reappraisal of postcolonialism and a remapping of the world through the lens of art. This bold move has positioned the Museum as a pioneer in addressing complex global issues, making it a leader in the art world. 🔍 Insights and Delights This transformation journey offers profound insights into how cultural institutions can evolve to stay relevant in today's dynamic world. The delight lies in witnessing how art can be a powerful tool for social commentary and change, bridging gaps between the past and present. #MuseumDerModerneSalzburg #CulturalTransformation #ArtLeadership #InclusiveArt #GlobalArtDiscussion #PostcolonialismInArt #MuseumRenovation

Explore the Expanded Motown Museum This Founders Day! (video)

🔹 REDEFINING THE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE Welcome to "Frameless"—a revolutionary art museum in London where art transcends traditional boundaries and merges with reality! In this visionary space, art comes alive in ways you've never seen before, offering a fully immersive and interactive experience that engages every visitor. With captivating augmented reality installations and dynamic, evolving artworks, "Frameless" reinvents the classic museum visit, turning it into a mesmerizing journey of discovery. Would you be excited to explore a museum like this? Or maybe you've already experienced it?

The Paradox Museum Group has unveiled its largest venue yet in Hamburg, Germany, spanning 1,300 square metres across three storeys. With over 50 interactive installations blending art, science, and sensory exploration, this immersive museum is redefining how we learn and play. ✨ Key Highlights: 👉 Themed Experiences: From the Zero Gravity Room to installations inspired by Hamburg’s River Elbe & St. Pauli district. 👉 Local Art Integration: Featuring works by artists like Darko C. Nikolic and Siddhartha Omar. 👉 Global Vision, Local Touch: Part of a network of 13 museums worldwide, with unique localisation for Hamburg’s vibrant culture. 👉 Future Growth: Temporary exhibitions launching in 2025 to keep the experience dynamic. The Hamburg branch showcases the power of localised storytelling, multidisciplinary design, and experiential learning to captivate diverse audiences. https://lnkd.in/e-PNBNbh #Edutainment #ParadoxMuseum #VisitorExperience #InteractiveAttractions

Visiting art museums, art galleries and art centers, I often reflect on the importance of accessibility—both in terms of the physical space and the information shared with visitors. Recently, at an art museum in Luxembourg, I found the experience somewhat inaccessible. The art, while visually striking, was difficult to understand at first glance. There wasn’t enough context about the artists or the reasoning behind the exhibition choices. Without this, it’s hard for many visitors to connect deeply with the work. To make art more accessible, I believe museums should offer introductory videos from curators or artists, explaining the exhibition’s theme, the selection process, and the context behind the pieces. This kind of information can bridge the gap between those who are experts in the field and those who may be new to art, creating a more engaging and inclusive experience for all. Art should be something that anyone can appreciate—not just those with a deep academic understanding. It’s up to curators, artists, and museum professionals to make exhibitions more accessible, ensuring that everyone can engage with and appreciate the art in a meaningful way. I am happy to support and share my experiences, but also my expertise working in the field of digital interaction with museums and curators, hope you reach out to me 🙏🏽 #ArtForAll #MuseumAccessibility #InclusiveArt #CuratorialPractice #ArtEducation #CulturalInclusion #accessibleart #digitalexperiences #contextualdesign #designforall #accessibility #accessibleinformation