This program explores the use of online platforms in increasing access and engagement with cultural heritage content. It combines both practical skills with theoretical perspectives to understand how cultural institutions and practitioners can tap into the existing knowledge networks, and cultural interests being cultivated online.
Program background
With a rapidly growing digital space, social media has proved to be a great tool in increasing access to cultura; content, news and information. In Kenya a country where 80% of all internet traffic is accessed through mobile phones, platforms like Whatsapp, Twitter and Facebook have demonstrated incredible potential to increase interest and engagement with cultural heritage content. But where does the cultural heritage institution lie in all this?
Does the internet adapt to the museum or does the museum adapt to the internet?
Younger, tech savvy African audiences in have begun to demand more access to cultural heritage content and with this comes a demand for new narratives and diverse representations. Do cultural heritage institutions and practitioners have the skills, tools and abilities to provide this? Does a radical shift in content consumption force us to come up with new ways of reaching and accommodating audiences? These are some of the critical questions that participants will work together with the trainer to explore
Target participants
- Entry – Mid level practitioners working within public institutions such as museums, archives and libraries
- Private practitioners either working as part of an existing institution or running private ventures related to cultural heritage
- Suitable but not limited to those working in collections, curation, public relations, communication, outreach and digital departments.
Overall learning outcomes
- The participant will be aware of the digital trends shaping audience consumption of cultural heritage
- Participants will be able to apply their insights in digital culture to assess their current practice and design engaging content based on their institutional contexts
- Participants will have skills in audience mapping and content design
- Participants will have gained practical experience in designing a prototype for an online content series that will be implemented after the training program is over
