Museums, Heritage, and Digital Curation

Heritage institutions face major changes in the areas of digitisation, narrative, inclusivity, and participation. In this groundbreaking book Wim Hupperetz, an expert in the field of museums, heritage and digital curation, reflects on the challenge of change. How does a museum move from an object or a collection to storytelling, and what is the impact of digitisation on curatorship? How to assess the biography of a collection when you think of museums as a medium of memory? And in striving to achieve a participatory dialogue, what is the difference between collaborating and doing things together?

In six chapters, theory and practice are juxtaposed. Each chapter concludes with practical dos and don¿ts. This book is also meant as a tribute to everyone who has contributed to the renovation of the Allard Pierson, the museum and knowledge institute where the collections of the University of Amsterdam are preserved and presented.

Museums, Heritage and Digital Curation is intended for heritage professionals and students who want to gain insight into the debate in a rapidly changing field.

Contents

Introduction

1. The museum as a medium of memory

The museum in the 21st century

Organising openness

Museums and modernity

Museums and the culture of remembrance

Recollection and historical awareness

Case studies

The paradox of nostalgia

New narratives

Dös and don¿ts

2. The biography of collections

Investigating provenance

Dynamic heritage

The memory of a collection

Case studies

Biographical notes

Colonial context

Dös and don¿ts

3. Collaborating, cooperating and acting together

Managing change

Various levels

Case studies

Dös and don¿ts

4. From object to narrative

The evolution of a new semi-permanent collection presentation

Presentation history

Connecting the archaeological and the special collections

The overkill pitfall

The refurbishment evaluated

Case studies

Dös and don¿ts

5. Digital curation

Challenges of Digital Curation

The digital heritage paradox

Support tools

Shifts in digital heritage practice

In search of digital added value and sustainability

Case studies

Dös and don¿ts

6. Towards a participatory dialogue

Heritage as a platform

Practice and process

Constant transformation

Two-way traffic

Case studies

Dös and don¿ts

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

Notes

Bibliography