Museums and the culture of new media

An empirical model of New Zealand museum websites

Bibliographic Data

ID5906166
AuthorsDavid Mason (0000-0002-1382-4688, Victoria University of Wellington), David D M Mason, C Mccarthy (0000-0001-6124-9502, Victoria University of Wellington, corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume23
Issue1
Pages63-80
Publication date2008-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMuseum Management and Curatorship (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0964-7775 • E-ISSN: 1872-9185
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09647770701865386
OpenAlexW2051413709
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited14

Despite the recent growth of virtual museums, we lack detailed research on the intersection of museums and new media. This study presents the results of a survey of websites of New Zealand museums and heritage organisations using an idealised model of the basic functionality required in a well-defined professional sector. When this empirical model was compared with actual websites, it was found that many functions were not fully implemented. Interviews were then undertaken with museum staff which provided insights into the social factors affecting the planning, implementation and maintenance of museum websites, which were evidently developed in a haphazard fashion. Although museum websites do reflect fundamental museum functions, the results paint a bleak picture of an uneven and fragmented field, a digital divide which disadvantages small to medium museums. The paper recommends more guidelines rather than more technology, and calls for further research into the ‘culture of new media’

Archaeology · Media studies · Sociology · Art Education and Development · Cultural Industries and Urban Development · History · Museology · Museums and Cultural Heritage

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