A global survey has found that there is overwhelming public interest in accessing museum collections through VR and XR technology.
The survey, conducted as part of a Scottish project, undertaken as part of the £5.6 million Museums in the Metaverse project, has uncovered strong public interest in accessing museum collections virtually.
Believed to be the largest survey of its kind, the project is based at the University of Glasgow’s Advanced Research Centre and highlights that approximately 90% of museum collections are currently held in storage, not on public display.
79% of survey respondents expressed interest in using the technology to explore cultural collections that are not on public display, with 38% of respondents being “definitely” or “probably” willing to pay for access.
Professor Murray Pittock, co-author of the report, University of Glasgow, commented: “This is the largest global study on virtual museums to date, revealing not just what future audiences want but how museums can adapt to meet these demands.
“Our research reveals a clear appetite for immersive digital experiences, with people eager to interact with cultural artifacts in new and exciting ways. “This shift in public expectations is already visible in the growing popularity of virtual reality cultural spaces globally, and our findings at Glasgow are helping chart a course for how museums can embrace this digital future.”
Photo: Render of MiM environment with Walrus Skull. Credit Museums in the Metaverse