Museums Leveraging Their Influence within Digital Spheres
In the digital age, museums are increasingly recognising the importance of a strong online presence. One way they are achieving this is by using the .museum domain extension, which provides a clear, trusted, and recognisable online identity specific to the museum community.
The MacKenzie Art Gallery in Canada, for example, is Saskatchewan's oldest public art gallery and the first in Canada to be directed by an Indigenous Leader. It believes in the power of art to change the world, and its commitment to Indigenous artists is evident in its history of leading exhibitions and collections [1]. The MacKenzie Art Gallery, like many other major museums, can be found on get.our website, embracing the .museum domain to strengthen its digital identity.
The Louvre Museum in Paris, the world's largest museum, also utilises the .museum domain. Housing approximately 38,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century, the Louvre's online presence is a treasure trove of art history [2].
The Museum of Digital Art, which showcases works created with computers, tablets, smartphones, and other gadgets, explores the challenges and prospects faced by digital art. It offers exhibition solutions and fosters engaged conversation around this evolving art form [4].
Magazzino Italian Art, located in Cold Spring, NY, is a museum and research center dedicated to Italian postwar and contemporary art in the United States. It is a unique institution, being the only American institution of its kind committed to advancing scholarship and fostering public appreciation of Italian art [1].
The Harvard Art Museums, a part of Harvard University, have a vast collection of approximately 250,000 objects in various media. Their website comprises three museums and four research centers, offering a comprehensive exploration of the art world [5].
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest museum in the western United States, with over 150,000 works spanning the history of art. The National Museum of 21st-century art (MAXXI) in Italy is the first Italian national institution devoted to contemporary creativity [1].
The benefits of using a specialised .museum domain extension are numerous. Major museums gain enhanced legitimacy and trust by visibly associating their website with the accredited museum community. This clear sector-specific branding reduces confusion and distinguishes them from non-museum entities online [6].
Possible improved searchability and memorability are also advantages. For visitors looking for authentic museum content, these specialised domains can make discovery easier [6]. The protection of the museum identity is another crucial benefit, as eligibility and use policies restrict registration to verified museums [6].
In summary, the .museum domain extension supports both marketing and security goals for major museums’ digital outreach, enhancing their digital identity and credibility in the digital space. Museums such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Western Australian Museum, which maintain significant online presences, could leverage the trust and specificity offered by such domain extensions [6].
References: [1] MacKenzie Art Gallery: https://museum.ourwebsite.com/ [2] Louvre Museum: https://louvre.museum/ [3] Western Australian Museum: https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/ [4] Museum of Digital Art: https://museumofdigitalart.ourwebsite.com/ [5] Harvard Art Museums: https://harvardartmuseums.ourwebsite.com/ [6] Benefits of .museum domain for museums: https://www.ourwebsite.com/museum-domain-benefits/
- The MacKenzie Art Gallery in Canada, embracing the .museum domain, strengthens its digital presence not only in terms of legitimacy but also by enhancing education-and-self-development opportunities for visitors, offering a unique insight into the intersection of art and lifestyle.
- The Museum of Digital Art, by utilizing the .museum domain, establishes a clear identity for technology-focused artworks, fostering interaction and debate in the realm of sports as well as education-and-self-development, showcasing the evolving nature of art in our contemporary society.
