The Status and Challenges of Online Exhibitions in Art Museums in China – Based on Interviews With Curators

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Status and Challenges of Online Exhibitions in Art Museums in China – Based on Interviews With Curators

AU - Zhang, Xiaoyue

N1 - © Zhang. Published by BCS Learning and Development Ltd. Proceedings of EVA London 2024, UK

PY - 2024/7

Y1 - 2024/7

N2 - This study explores online exhibitions in public art museums in China. The paper discusses the current state of online exhibitions in art museums and the challenges curators face in online curation from the curators' perspective. The research methods use structured interviews with curators at the Sichuan Art Museum, Chengdu Art Museum, and Shangrao Art Museum, as well as a literature review and case studies. The study found that online exhibitions are primarily based on existing physical displays, and due to a lack of funding, the development of online exhibitions is limited. The study explored the lack of opportunities for curators to develop digital skills to engage with online curation and the need of an additional ‘support role’ to assist the main digital department to complete the online exhibition. This study reflects that although public museums have been promoting digital engagement, the development of online exhibitions has varied among different museums in China, and some museums are still in an initial exploration stage. Finally, the study offers recommendations which respond to the interviews with curators and the art museum’s current status which include: offering digital technology training, online exhibition toolkits, and online resource shares in order to better support curators as they face these challenges and promote the innovation and development of exhibitions online.

AB - This study explores online exhibitions in public art museums in China. The paper discusses the current state of online exhibitions in art museums and the challenges curators face in online curation from the curators' perspective. The research methods use structured interviews with curators at the Sichuan Art Museum, Chengdu Art Museum, and Shangrao Art Museum, as well as a literature review and case studies. The study found that online exhibitions are primarily based on existing physical displays, and due to a lack of funding, the development of online exhibitions is limited. The study explored the lack of opportunities for curators to develop digital skills to engage with online curation and the need of an additional ‘support role’ to assist the main digital department to complete the online exhibition. This study reflects that although public museums have been promoting digital engagement, the development of online exhibitions has varied among different museums in China, and some museums are still in an initial exploration stage. Finally, the study offers recommendations which respond to the interviews with curators and the art museum’s current status which include: offering digital technology training, online exhibition toolkits, and online resource shares in order to better support curators as they face these challenges and promote the innovation and development of exhibitions online.

KW - Online exhibition

KW - Curator

KW - Public art museum

KW - Online curation

U2 - 10.14236/ewic/EVA2024.16

DO - 10.14236/ewic/EVA2024.16

M3 - Conference article

SN - 1477-9358

JO - BCS Learning & Development

JF - BCS Learning & Development

T2 - Proceedings of EVA London 2024

Y2 - 8 July 2024 through 12 July 2024

ER -