Radar for the City Feeling

City museums are pivotal in shaping the experience of both visitors and residents. They present the city's main narrative in an engaging manner, offering visitors a fresh perspective on urban life. For residents, city museums serve as a 'third place,' a welcoming space that feels like a home away from home.

 

What was the goal of this research?

The primary goal of this research was to develop a toolkit for assessing the value of city museums beyond economic metrics. This toolkit aims to evaluate the social and cultural impact of city museums on both residents and visitors.

 

What method was employed?

To achieve this goal, the project focused on creating and testing a comprehensive assessment toolkit. The methodology involved identifying key indicators that contribute to the value of city museums, developing surveys, interviews, and observational methods to gather data from museum visitors and residents, and implementing the toolkit in various city museums to refine its effectiveness and ensure it accurately measures the intended metrics.

 

What findings did we uncover?

The project uncovered several key insights. The developed toolkit provides a robust framework for evaluating the cultural and social value of city museums, offering a more holistic view of their impact. By understanding the non-economic value of city museums, curators and administrators can better tailor exhibits and programmes to enhance the visitor experience. Additionally, the project highlighted the role of city museums as community hubs, emphasising their importance in fostering a sense of belonging and community among residents.

This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted value of city museums, promoting their role as vital cultural and social institutions within urban settings.

 

What is the timeline of this project?

February 2020 – January 2022

 

Who are our main collaborating partners?

Museum Gouda, Musea Zutphen, Stedelijk Museum Breda.

 

Who are our funding partners?


 

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