TikTok and museum education: A visual content analysis

Abstract

Although TikTok has been downloaded 2.6 billion times and is widely used around the world, cultural organizations have been slow to join the trend. The few museums that use the app have had contrasting approaches to their content creation. This study employs a case study methodology to examine the use of TikTok by the Uffizi Gallery (Florence) and the Rijksmuseum (Amsterdam) through a visual content analysis of their posts. Considering theories of learning and teaching in the museum, as well as of connectivism, the central guiding questions are: how are museums using TikTok? In what ways do these short-form videos connect visitors with their collections? What are the implications for museum education? The findings from this study reveal that museums use either expository and didactic teaching practices on TikTok or performative TikTok practices, which include collaboration with youth. The study has implications for museum educators who wish to use TikTok as an educational tool.