Global Survey Shows Rising Public Demand for Virtual Reality Access to Museum Collections

Render of MiM environment with Walrus Skull. Credit Museums in the Metaverse

(IN BRIEF) A global survey conducted as part of the University of Glasgow’s Museums in the Metaverse (MiM) project has revealed strong public interest in using virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) technologies to explore museum collections, especially those currently inaccessible to the public. The research, part of a £5.6 million initiative, shows significant enthusiasm for digital cultural experiences, including virtual exhibitions and interactions with artefacts. The findings suggest that VR and XR technologies could also attract younger audiences and enhance accessibility to cultural heritage. The MiM project aims to develop a two-sided XR platform to enable immersive cultural experiences and virtual curation.

(PRESS RELEASE) GLASGOW, 07-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A global survey has revealed strong public interest in accessing museum collections through virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) technologies, with findings from the University of Glasgow‘s Museums in the Metaverse (MiM) project providing key insights into the future of digital cultural experiences. The research, conducted as part of a £5.6 million initiative, surveyed over 2,000 participants worldwide, highlighting the increasing demand for virtual heritage experiences. These technologies, including virtual exhibitions and interactive cultural artefacts, offer significant opportunities for museums and cultural heritage institutions to enhance accessibility, particularly for the estimated 90% of collections currently in storage.

The survey, part of MiM’s ongoing efforts to develop an XR platform for cultural heritage, showed that 79% of respondents were interested in using digital technologies to explore inaccessible cultural collections, with 77% open to using VR for this purpose. Additionally, 55% of participants had already engaged with VR, and a combined 38% expressed willingness to pay for virtual cultural heritage content. The findings also suggested that XR technologies could attract younger audiences, with previous virtual initiatives already engaging many individuals aged 25 to 34. Early virtual museum projects, such as those by the Musée d’Orsay and Hofburg, further demonstrate the potential for digital access to drive museum engagement.

Fergus Bruce, a co-author of the study, highlighted the commercial and environmental benefits of virtual engagement, emphasizing the clear demand for virtual access and content. When completed in 2025, the MiM project will deliver an innovative two-sided XR platform, allowing users to explore museums and cultural sites in new ways while also enabling virtual curators to create unique, interactive experiences. The findings suggest that VR and XR technologies can democratize access to cultural heritage, foster public interaction, and contribute to the sustainability of cultural institutions.

Museums in the Metaverse Audiences and Impact Report is available to view here – Museums in the Metaverse Audiences and Impact Report

Learn more about MiM by visiting the project website – Museums in the Metaverse

Media contact:
media@glasgow.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Glasgow

Follow EuropaWire on Google News
EDITOR'S PICK:

Comments are closed.