Civic museums, social need, and inclusive digital practices

Civic museums traditionally emphasise community service, often by replicating the education and research functions of “universal” or “national” museums. In the UK, the work of civic museums is now changing to incorporate more attention to community health, well-being, and social inclusion. Established digital provision is often collections-focused or marketing-led, and while this provision may be accessible it may not have been designed for inclusion. A series of digitally delivered projects that were designed to promote social inclusion were undertaken in 2020/21 with the Royal Pavilion and Museums Brighton and Hove (UK); the DeLaWarr Pavilion in Bexhill on Sea (UK); and the Peale in Baltimore, Maryland (US). Using mainly readily accessible digital tools, these projects developed inclusivity in three different ways: by optimising technology choices; developing more inclusive content; and considering the organisational implications of expanding digital provision as a mechanism for driving inclusivity in locally focused cultural heritage institutions.