Culture Index exists to catalog cultural institutions online, and highlight the best practices that inspire us.
Launching with a focus on museums and building from there, we are a resource for both research and discovery. Browse information about online communications, and discover ideas with examples of what’s possible for cultural institutions in the digital space.
As a community project facilitated by Base, we invite you to use and contribute to this growing resource.
“The future of the museum may be rooted in the buildings they occupy but it will address audiences across the world — a place where people across the world will have a conversation.
Those institutions which take up this notion fastest and furthest will be the ones which have the authority in the future.”
Xavier Hufkens is Europe’s leading contemporary art gallery. With three physical locations in Brussels, the online exhibition space marks their 4th.
Why it’s special
“Story Mode” lets visitors sit back and immerse themselves in art, as all interfaces and distractions disappear.
• Digital gallery is conceptualized as a neutral white cube, where art shines
• Templated format allows easy set up
• Chosen mediums work well on screen (i.e. photo and video)
• Immersive, highly engaging experience via Story Mode
Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum practices best-in-class online engagement. Their Stories offer new curatorial insights through interactive, video-based experiences.
Stories always feel native to the digital medium, and challenge the notion of the online exhibition in exciting new ways.
• Stories feel like guided exhibition tours, accessed from anywhere
• Experiences are as entertaining as they are informative
• Well-crafted system enables high production value with minimal ongoing resources
• Stories enhance existing open collection database
Every year, the champagne producer Ruinart collaborates with an artist, giving them ‘carte blanche.’ In 2021, they created an interesting, unconventional gallery for David Shrigley.
Shrigley’s characteristic drawings enter the digital realm in a manner true to the spirit of his work.
What we like:
• Web native navigation through 3D spaces
• Fun and light, consistent with the character of David Shrigley’s art
• Elements of surprise keep the visit engaging
• Many cultural institutions’ online exhibitions look the same
• Few succeed in pushing the medium
• The best experiences align conceptually with the artist or show
• Successful online venues demand resources, just like physical spaces
• Smart templates help reduce costs
• Some artistic mediums are better suited to screens than others
• Screens are different than physical galleries—so disregard preconceptions