Museology in the

Digital Age

Geometric blueprint images care of R. Buckminster Fuller


Welcome to an exploration of virtual museums. You'll find information for educators to consider when using virtual museums. You'll also find information regarding learners. For museum employees, we have provided a list of detailed considerations. Finally, we have provided information about Canadian Museums and their virtual offerings.

In 1947, André Malraux wrote of a musée imaginaire. This museum without walls was the first hint at the possibility of museums not limited by physical locations. In the 1990s, the advancement of technology allowed for museums to push the boundaries of museology as exhibitions and collections were moved to digital formats. CD-ROMs were among the first tool used to disseminate information beyond the walls of the museum. As internet spread across the globe, institutions increasingly began to create virtual representations of their museums. As technology has continued to evolve, so too have virtual museums.