How Can We Tie DIY and Interactive Technologies to Community Building?
Museums have long been seen as places of quiet reflection, where visitors admire static exhibits from a distance. However, a new wave of transformation is sweeping through these spaces, shifting the focus from passive observation to active participation. The power of DIY projects, interactive exhibits, and co-created spaces is reshaping how we experience culture, making museums more inclusive, dynamic, and community-driven than ever before.
The Shift from Passive Viewing to Active Participation
Hands-on activities
Modern museums have transformed from passive spaces into collaborative hubs where visitors actively shape their experiences. Through hands-on activities and DIY workshops, visitors become co-creators, contributing their voices to cultural narratives and fostering a deeper sense of belonging and inclusion [1]. These participatory initiatives provide platforms for self-expression and meaningful interaction, enabling diverse groups to share unique perspectives and cultivate shared ownership of museum spaces [3].
For marginalized groups, such efforts offer a powerful means of self-empowerment and storytelling, allowing individuals to showcase their creativity and lived experiences. By breaking down societal barriers, these activities foster inclusivity and encourage dialogue among people from varied backgrounds, enriching the cultural fabric of museums [3], [5].
Digital activities
Museums are increasingly using collaborative interactive activities to foster social connections among visitors. Tools like augmented reality, digital storytelling, and interactive displays encourage shared experiences that strengthen community bonds. For example, the Science Museum’s Disease Controller game in the Medicine and Communities gallery allows four players to collaboratively manage the spread of an epidemic in a city. Participants must make quick decisions, such as issuing public health campaigns or vaccinations, highlighting the challenges of urban health and the impact of infectious diseases [7]. These activities transform museums into vibrant spaces where visitors connect through shared exploration and learning.
Museums and Wellbeing
Museums are essential for promoting psychological and social well-being by providing restorative environments that encourage connections. Participatory activities like DIY projects and collaborative exhibits help foster identity, community and enhance self-esteem while reducing stress. Research shows that interactive and co-creative museum activities lead to personal growth, sense of accomplishment, and strengthen social bonds. [2], [4].
One great example is the Holburne Museum’s “Image – Peer Supported Museums Group” which is designed for individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, providing a supportive environment to foster creativity and independence. The group engages in specialist artist-led workshops covering skills like bronze clay jewelry, acrylic painting, and printmaking, followed by independent development. Members aim to enhance creativity using museum collections, develop skills, exhibit their work, and promote inclusion and well-being through art. [6]
A Future of Collaborative Communities
Museums are evolving beyond their traditional role of showcasing artifacts, becoming spaces that foster collaboration and community engagement. By incorporating these participatory elements ensures that museums are not just institutions for knowledge but vibrant spaces for social connection and shared experiences [3]. These innovations allow museums to serve as community hubs, where shared experiences and social bonds are nurtured. The future of museums lies in their ability to empower visitors to actively shape the experience, fostering a sense of belonging and deeper understanding while building stronger, more connected communities.
References
[1] Moura, H., et al., “Collaborative Museums: An Approach to Co-Design,” ACM CSCW 2012, pp. 681–684, 2012.
[2] Šveb Dragija, M., and Jelinčić, D.A., “Can Museums Help Visitors Thrive?,” Behav. Sci., vol. 12, no. 458, pp. 1–17, 2022.
[3] Wallen, L., and Docherty-Hughes, J.R., “Caring Spaces: Individual and Social Wellbeing in Museum Community Engagement Experiences,” J. Museum Education, vol. 47, no. 1, pp. 93–102, 2022.
[4] “Transforming Community Engagement in Unexpected Spaces,” MuseumNext. [Online]. Available: https://www.museumnext.com/article/transforming-community-engagement-in-unexpected-spaces/.
[5] “Inclusive Museum Community,” Doubleknot. [Online]. Available: https://www.doubleknot.com/blog/inclusive-museum-community.
[6] “Image – Peer Supported Museums Group,” The Holburne Museum. [Online]. Available: https://holburne.org/learning-and-creativity/mental-health-and-creativity/pathways-to-wellbeing/peer-led-museums-group/.
[7] Science Museum, “Medicine: The Wellcome Galleries,” Science Museum. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/medicine-wellcome-galleries.