Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
This paper deals with digitally mediated museum experiences of novice visitors at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and discusses them in the context of museum inclusion. Research participants included families with young children and members of minority communities in Vienna whose visit was facilitated by two app-based guided tours developed for children. The research goal was to explore the impact of the mobile guide’s digital content and modes of communication on the visitors’ interaction with the guide, with the museum space and objects, and with family members. The families’ interactions were observed, recorded and analyzed. The results suggest that carefully considered and created content on mobile guides has the potential to provide novice family visitors with experiences that support their independence and active engagement, create opportunities for mutual facilitation, and support their different identities, all of which have been considered as conducive to inclusion.
Highlights
Mobile interactive guides have been widely used in museums to supplement individual physical exhibits and enhance visitors’ experiences
Fostering inclusion in art museums through mobile digital content This paper deals with digitally mediated museum experiences of novice visitors at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and discusses them in the context of museum inclusion
As this study focuses on the use of digital mobile interactivity in an art museum, the review of the literature given deals with three main relevant topics, namely, art museums in the context of access and barriers to engagement, families with young children as art museum visitors, and families’ experiences related to the content and communication modes of digital mobile guides
Summary
Mobile interactive guides (handheld devices) have been widely used in museums to supplement individual physical exhibits and enhance visitors’ experiences. Instead of thinking of technology as a novelty and its attractive features as a simple panacea for museums’ ailments, the use of new media in museums calls for thoughtful and strategic approaches to content development, as well as attention to different cultures of usage. This is especially true if technology being used to achieve cultural and social inclusion, in which case it is necessary to reflect on what the right approach might be and whether it will be relevant to the targeted communities.[2] In his overview of the use of ICT in art museums, Peter Samis concludes that audiences care about “meaning: a memorable, emotionally compelling. As only one type of ICT, have the potential to engage different types of visitors as long as their contents and affordances provide expected and desired experiences
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
