2014 TrendsWatch forecasts museum innovation
The 2014 TrendsWatch report has highlighted a number of predicted museum trends for the coming year, including robots, big data, the rise of social entrepreneurs and the economy of collaborative consumption.
The report – an annual overview of developments compiled from a variety of mainstream news sources, blogs, research reports, pop culture and writers – summarises six worldwide trends in the museum sector and offers observations on what each means for managers working in this industry.
Written by Elizabeth Merritt of the American Alliance of Museums’ Centre for the Future of Museums, the report first highlights “the rise of the social entrepreneurs” – for-profit businesses tackling traditionally non-profit targets. The report calls social entrepreneurship “the growing realm of mission-driven business enterprises” that view financial success as a way to "produce more good”, with some of them "doing a better job than the independent sector at solving the world’s problems.”
Multi-sensory experiences are also a growing trend, with emerging technologies providing the ability to record a scent or get hands on with anything which is rendered as digital data. The implication for museums is that they may be pressured to routinely use more multi-sensory technology in exhibits and programmes.
“Tapping the big data boom” has also been recognised as a trend, with the vast amount of data recorded since 2011 equalling the total amount collected for the rest of time before that date. Digitised versions of various works, in addition to social media output, have created a network of data so large it's expected to double by 2.8 zettabytes (one zetta being 2 to the power of 70) by 2015. The refinement and analysis of this data gives museums a tool that enables them to hone their business practices and become more efficient in various areas – from food service to exhibit design.
The report highlights the issue of privacy, stating that emerging surveillance technology holds promise for evaluating and fine-tuning what museums do, as well as meeting the demand for a personal experience, although it says museums must balance the benefits with potential backlashes if the limits of privacy are overstepped.
The fifth trend identified by the report is “the economy of collaborative consumption”, meaning Peer to Peer (P2P) transactions, or the sharing economy. 2014 TrendsWatch says museums have the opportunity to monetise the sharing economy by renting out under-utilised resources such as tools, equipment and even office space, to create sources of additional revenue.
The report’s final trend is robotics and how it fits into the bigger picture for museums. It suggests museums may want to consider using robots as field trip avatars, virtual tour guides and security guards, for example.
To read the full report click here.
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
