General Principles: Museum 2.0

The Preface of The Participatory Museum, a book by Nina Simon, seeks to explain the phenomenon of museum 2.0 (also known as the participatory museum) while outlining basic guidelines and concepts. As the name exemplifies, museum 2.0 is an exhibit based on collaboration, community, and user-generated content. In a world full of participation due to the prominence of social media, Simon argues that museums must invite their consumers to engage in exhibits rather than just merely attend them. The participatory museum allows visitors to contribute their opinions, share their beliefs, and socialize with others all while furthering the goals of the institution (be it ticket sales, patron donations, etc). The new model creates a constantly updating and personalized exhibit, inviting participants to use the institution as a common ground for discussion and collaboration long after their visit.

Answers to the Ten Questions I am Most Often Asked, a post on the blog Museum 2.0, clarifies some of the most common museum 2.0 concerns. It is stressed that all institutions who sincerely care about their visitors’ experiences should invite participation; nevertheless, these engagement opportunities should be optional so as not to discourage traditional visitors. It is also recommended that institutions evaluate their participation strategies based on what they deem important – outlining goals beforehand and tracking progress appropriately is very important so changes can be made when needed. The entire process is very open to interpretation, and should be flexible enough to meet the needs of different consumers.