Estonian National Museum new research projects support the digital development of museums
The Estonian National Museum (ERM) launched two large-scale research projects in 2024 with the aim
of supporting the digital development of museums, finding new ways to use digital cultural heritage, and
increasing collaboration between museums and the gaming industry.
The project “Digital Cultural Heritage as a Resource for Social Development” focuses on the use of
digitized collections in Estonian museums.
A significant portion of Estonia's museum collections is already digitally accessible through the Museum
Information System (MuIS), but the potential of digital heritage has not been fully exploited. The
research aims to find ways to expand the use of digital cultural heritage in education, business, data-
based decision-making, public science, and co-creation initiatives.
“We want to provide solutions that allow for a more diverse application of digital cultural heritage. One
practical goal is to create a methodological toolkit to help museums better support individuals and
communities who wish to use digital cultural heritage in creative ways,” explains the project leader, Pille
Runnel.
ERM is participating as a partner in the international project “i-Game – Building a community for the co-
creation of games with high impact on innovation, sustainability, social cohesion and growth.”
The gaming industry is a rapidly growing sector of the global economy, which opens up new
opportunities for museums and helps them reach new target audiences through attractive creative
solutions. The project seeks answers to the following questions: Why do museums fail to take advantage
of the potential of the gaming industry? Why do museums often fail in game design? What are the main
obstacles in creating games based on open access digital collections in memory institutions? How can
we contribute to collaboration between museums and the gaming industry?
The goal of i-Game is to create a collaborative platform that connects cultural institutions,
entrepreneurs, museums, game designers, and communities, and supports the creation of playful
solutions for exploring cultural heritage. ERM's research team is experimenting with the use of digital
collections in game creation to help design games that support the museum's educational goals in
exhibitions and activities.
More information: https://igameproject.eu/ and Digital Cultural Heritage as a Resource for Social
Development.
The research team includes ERM's Research Director Pille Runnel and Research Secretary Agnes Aljas.
The project “Digital Cultural Heritage as a Social Resource” is funded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture.
The project “i-Game – Building a Community for the Co-Creation of Games with High Impact on
Innovation, Sustainability, Social Cohesion and Growth” is funded by Horizon Europe.
The Estonian National Museum (ERM) launched two large-scale research projects in 2024 with the aim
of supporting the digital development of museums, finding new ways to use digital cultural heritage, and
increasing collaboration between museums and the gaming industry.
The project “Digital Cultural Heritage as a Resource for Social Development” focuses on the use of
digitized collections in Estonian museums.
A significant portion of Estonia's museum collections is already digitally accessible through the Museum
Information System (MuIS), but the potential of digital heritage has not been fully exploited. The
research aims to find ways to expand the use of digital cultural heritage in education, business, data-
based decision-making, public science, and co-creation initiatives.
“We want to provide solutions that allow for a more diverse application of digital cultural heritage. One
practical goal is to create a methodological toolkit to help museums better support individuals and
communities who wish to use digital cultural heritage in creative ways,” explains the project leader, Pille
Runnel.
ERM is participating as a partner in the international project “i-Game – Building a community for the co-
creation of games with high impact on innovation, sustainability, social cohesion and growth.”
The gaming industry is a rapidly growing sector of the global economy, which opens up new
opportunities for museums and helps them reach new target audiences through attractive creative
solutions. The project seeks answers to the following questions: Why do museums fail to take advantage
of the potential of the gaming industry? Why do museums often fail in game design? What are the main
obstacles in creating games based on open access digital collections in memory institutions? How can
we contribute to collaboration between museums and the gaming industry?
The goal of i-Game is to create a collaborative platform that connects cultural institutions,
entrepreneurs, museums, game designers, and communities, and supports the creation of playful
solutions for exploring cultural heritage. ERM's research team is experimenting with the use of digital
collections in game creation to help design games that support the museum's educational goals in
exhibitions and activities.
More information: https://igameproject.eu/ and Digital Cultural Heritage as a Resource for Social
Development.
The research team includes ERM's Research Director Pille Runnel and Research Secretary Agnes Aljas.
The project “Digital Cultural Heritage as a Social Resource” is funded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture.
The project “i-Game – Building a Community for the Co-Creation of Games with High Impact on
Innovation, Sustainability, Social Cohesion and Growth” is funded by Horizon Europe.