Accessible and visualized MUSEum collections

The AMUSE project aimed to modernize higher education and promote inclusion through digital innovation in cultural heritage. Its main objectives were to digitize museum collections using 3D scanni...

The AMUSE project aimed to modernize higher education and promote inclusion through digital innovation in cultural heritage. Its main objectives were to digitize museum collections using 3D scanning and photogrammetry, creating virtual exhibitions and accessible digital archives; to develop a gamified online platform offering inclusive virtual museum tours for all users, including persons with disabilities; and to update university curricula by introducing a new course in Digital Archaeology supported by non-formal learning modules for adult learners. The project also sought to strengthen students’ digital and creative skills, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration between archaeology, IT, and special education, and promote accessibility and equal participation in cultural and educational experiences. Through these goals, AMUSE contributed to the digital transformation of higher education, fostered innovative and inclusive learning methods, and increased public engagement with cultural heritage across Europe. A detailed overview of the project objectives and planned activities is available at: https://projectamuseeu.wordpress.com/project-overview/

The AMUSE project was implemented through a series of coordinated transnational and local activities across North Macedonia, Spain, and the Czech Republic. Three transnational project meetings ensured effective coordination and monitoring, while three multiplier events promoted dissemination among stakeholders and the wider public. Within Work Package 2, partners carried out 3D scanning and photogrammetry of museum artefacts and developed the gamified online platform featuring inclusive virtual museum tours. Under Work Package 3, university curricula were updated and a new course in Digital Archaeology was created, together with a non-formal training module for adult learners. Training sessions engaged higher education students with and without disabilities, combining digital skills, gamification, and accessibility principles. Finally, dissemination and visibility activities like social media campaigns, promotional videos, and stakeholder workshops ensured the project’s sustainability, public awareness, and long-term use of results in education and cultural heritage preservation.

The AMUSE project produced a set of concrete, innovative, and inclusive results. Six museums were digitized through 3D scanning and photogrammetry, resulting in a digital database of artefacts enriched with text, narration, and multimedia materials. A gamified online platform was developed, offering accessible virtual museum tours adapted for users who are blind, deaf, or dyslexic through dedicated plug-ins and assistive design. The project also created a university curriculum in Digital Archaeology consisting of six unit plans, as well as a non-formal course for adult learners, both integrating gamification and accessibility features. Additionally, three multiplier events reached more than 300 participants, and partnerships between universities, SMEs, and museums were developed through joint activities and shared outputs. These outputs are relevant for digital documentation, accessibility, and teaching practices in cultural heritage and higher education. The main outputs and other results of the project can be best seen in the project's accessible virtual museum, which can be found on this link: https://amuse.fsv.cvut.cz/en/