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In this article, we investigate the positive impact recent developments in digital technologies have on the relations between museums, their collections and the communities they serve. Our work indicates that sustainable benefit is produced with the use of existing digital literacies and infrastructures. We have analysed and evaluated the potential of emergent 3D and spherical technologies on the relationships between community and museum, participation in the formation of heritage, the 'visit' to the museum, and connection with remote audiences. The evaluation arises from our long term experience in working with community museums and through a series of workshops developed for the project entitled 'Museums and Community: Concepts, experiences, and sustainability in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean' (EU‐LAC‐MUSEUMS). Firstly, we contextualise the work presented by examining community museums, trends in emergent technologies and the advancements in digital heritage. Secondly, we analyse the methodologies used to design and execute the elements of the workshops, along with assess case studies to demonstrate distinctive experiences and outcomes particular to each workshop. We also describe how we constructed and implemented a novel design for a cost effective Virtual Museum Infrastructure (VMI), which makes it simpler for communities to create a virtual museum and connect it with global museum networks. Our aim is to communicate our findings in relation to methodologies, workflows and technologies that will be of value in understanding how to overcome the challenges emergent technologies present but yet have the potential to strengthen both community and museum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to present a large‐scale regional project conducted in Sicily, #iziTRAVELSicilia, which consists of an online platform and app. My point of departure is an overview of the literature on the use of digital storytelling and Information and Communication Technologies for heritage promotion. I will then delve into the project itself, whose primary purpose was to use digital communication in order to enhance Sicilian cultural heritage, by involving more than 3,000 native Sicilians, forming 'heritage communities', and by developing more than 180 audio guides. I will argue that this project is a good example of participation in the co‐creation of cultural values through the digital promotion and valorisation of heritage and territories, as articulated in the Faro Convention. The participatory co‐creation of cultural content provides greater visibility of Sicilian cultural heritage, demonstrating the cultural values of the #iziTRAVELSicilia project itself. Finally, I will delineate izi.TRAVEL's role in encouraging people to promote their heritage through emotional and creative storytelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the issues in cultural heritage preservation and digital heritage begins with knowledge exchange and the education of present and future stakeholders in the sector. Therefore, an innovative integration of digital technologies into museum practice and professional development courses is of great importance. In this article we describe three case studies involving knowledge exchange between universities and cultural heritage institutions. All three projects involved interdisciplinary expertise and the use of novel digital technologies which allow the recording of highly accurate 3D data for the purposes of archiving, research, preservation and public engagement. The first case study is a collaboration between The Postal Museum, the London Museum Group and UCL's Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering (CEGE) department, which delivered a feasibility study in to the use of 3D technologies for the documentation of metal objects. The second is a project involving UCL CEGE, UCL Digital Humanities and The Wellcome Trust in London, consisting of a training workshop, the development of a new low cost 3D imaging kit and outreach activities. The final study, initiated by the German Maritime Museum together with the Jade University of Applied Science in Oldenburg, is developing a 3D acquisition protocol for monitoring the Bremen Cog, a 14th century ship. Concluding the article are reflections on the lessons learnt and recommendations for fostering capacity building and knowledge exchange. Further conclusions are drawn on the importance of introducing museum and heritage professionals to the latest developments in digital technologies, with examples of learning opportunities in workshops or academic curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]