Bringing Culture to People: A Co-design Method for Redefining the Role of the Museum

• Published in: DIID Vol. 1; no. 81
• Main Authors: Patrizia Marti, Annamaria Recupero, Georg Regal, Andreas Sackl
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bologna University press 22.04.2024
• ISSN: 2785-2245
• DOI: 10.30682/diid8123j

ICOM (International Council of Museums) envisions a role for the museum as an accessible and inclusive institution open to the public, which operates professionally and with the participation of communities. This vision requires research and practice to be fully implemented. The paper illustrates the participatory ideation and evaluation of new museum services that are inclusive and accessible for people who cannot visit the museum due to disability and age-related impairments. It illustrates the co-design process carried out within the EU project BeauCoup, which aims to make the cultural heritage accessible beyond the museum’s walls. This objective implies that the museum must play a key role in promoting inter-institutional partnerships between the cultural and the social sectors to engage marginalised communities. The paper describes the approach and the outcomes of the co-design process which involved various stakeholders and institutions, offering a reflection on the benefits and shortcomings of the approach.