“The Brontosaurus skeleton in the @AMNH is so tall!”

When was the last time you went to a museum or a cultural / community event? (Such as the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.) Did you provide any insight on your activities on your social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, or mobile photo sharing site Instagr.am? Chances are that you likely did, as a way to tell your families & friends what you’ve been up to. Perhaps you wanted to strike up a conversation, or remind people that the Cherry Trees were a gift to the American people by Japan.

#Museums & Social Media

We are becoming a culture of engagement, and museums are not just listening. Only until recently, they began to respond in a more personal way, removing the “institutional formality,” and plunging themselves into a space of warmth and welcome to people of all interests, educational levels, backgrounds. This attitude also opens up the conversation to people with disabilities and foreign-language speakers.

Last month, The New York Times ran an article about how Museums are using social media to build relationships with users. This quote from Shelley Bernstein, the Chief Technology Officer of the Brooklyn Museum sums up the overall perspective of museums and online, visitor engagement:

“It’s less about technology and more about what the visitor can bring to the equation,” said Ms. Bernstein, 37, a pixieish woman who answers questions at a rapid-fire speed. “In the end, we want people to feel ownership of this museum. We ask them to tell us what they think. They can give us a bad review; when we make a mistake they can come to our rescue. We want to engage with our community.”

By-Product of Social Media: Greater Accessibility

This is a powerful attitude that can improve museum opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly those who are deaf and hard of hearing. By communicating with the museum and deaf individuals, there’s not a communication barrier. In fact, that’s not even an important factor during an on-line conversation – it’s an equal playing field. No opportunity for someone to quickly judge or place a stereotype on me because I am deaf. Rather, I am able to tweet with people in the gallery space, outside the museum, and with museum staff. The arts create dialogue, so it’s important to put in place the right tools for communication, even if it may be new or not fully tested.

Opening Doors

There’s a natural connection between social media, accessibility, and our experiences in the arts that has been around since before the term “social media” was coined. As Thomas Campbell, of the Metropolitan Museum of Art said:

“Every generation has to find the right modes of communication, and if it helps open doors it’s a good thing.”

I couldn’t agree more. While the museums still have some work to do in accessibility & innovation for deaf and hard of hearing, this is clearly a step in the right direction. When a museum lowers the barriers to access, that increases visitors (i.e., revenue!) and loyalty to the museum.

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