Heritage in lockdown: digital provision of memory institutions in the UK and US of America during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

As the impact of COVID-19 emerged in early 2020 and physical movement was restricted as a public health measure, digital media consumption behaviour changed dramatically. The accelerated move to online consumption increased the urgency for memory institutions such as museums to introduce new ways to digitally experience cultural collections. This research aimed to understand how memory institutions adapted during COVID-19 lockdowns by surveying the existing and novel digital resources that enabled access to cultural heritage organizations. The research was conducted during the UK lockdown period (April–July 2020) when we collected and analysed data from 83 heritage institutions in the UK and in the USA regarding the number, type, format, intended audience and intended aims of digital engagement opportunities they offered. The analysis evidences how different types of memory institutions responded to social need during the lockdown by supporting online visitors with resources such as educational material, live events and creative activities, and highlights where museums have acted effectively and where changed approaches are indicated.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• digital technologies
• survey
• memory institutions
• audiences
• multimedia content

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express our special thanks to Jen Grasso; Zoe Smith, and Ellis Stretton Smith, who supported the data capture stage of this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Myrsini Samaroudi is a heritage and cultural informatics professional and a doctoral candidate at the University of Brighton. Her PhD investigates how digitally fabricated replicas of artefacts can be deployed as interpretative devices in museum experiences for different audience groups.

Karina Rodriguez Echavarria is a Principal Lecturer in the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics at the University of Brighton. Her research is focussed on informatics for the Cultural Heritage sector and its creative applications in art, culture, education and tourism. She has produced research outputs in interdisciplinary areas such as computer graphics, information and knowledge management as well as cultural heritage.

Lara Perry is a Principal Lecturer in History of Art and Design and Deputy Head of the School of Humanities at the University of Brighton. She researches topics relating to women, gender and feminism in museums and is leading an AHRC UK/US collaborative research project on Digital Prospects for Inclusive Civic Historic Museums.