How to Create a Virtual Exhibit for a Local Museum: A Guide for Nigerian Innovat

1. The success of such approaches reveals an important truth: technology alone cannot safeguard culture, but when thoughtfully integrated with community knowledge and heritage, it becomes a powerful tool for preservation and innovation. For Nigerian academics, policymakers, and tech entrepreneurs invested in the future of our local traditions and languages, creating a virtual exhibit offers an accessible, scalable method to share cultural wealth beyond the physical walls of museums. In this post, I will draw on my 15 years working across Africa—partnering with UNESCO, Digital Innovation South Africa (DISA), and observing global initiatives like Taiwan’s 539 system—to outline practical steps for building virtual exhibits that respect and amplify authentic cultural narratives without draining your budget. Why Virtual Exhibits Matter for Nigerian Museums Many Nigerian museums face the dual challenge of limited resources and urgent cultural preservation needs. Languages like Idoma, Esan, and Ibibio risk fading as younger generations migrate to urban centers or engage primarily with digital media. Traditional ceremonies, oral histories, and artisanal crafts often lack sufficient documentation or risk misrepresentation. Virtual exhibits allow museums to: Extend access beyond geographical constraints Engage younger audiences familiar with digital platforms Document intangible heritage—rituals, songs, languages—in multimedia formats Foster community collaboration by involving knowledge holders in content creation However, a virtual exhibit is not just a digital archive or a fancy website. It is a carefully curated experience that should be treated as ‘living code’—a dynamic cultural program that evolves with community input and technological updates. Step 1: Ground Your Exhibit in Community Knowledge Before thinking tech, start with people. Engage local elders, artisans, storytellers, and cultural custodians. This is non- negotiable. Technology can never replace the embodied wisdom of traditional knowledge holders, but it can amplify their voices. Organize community workshops: Use these sessions to identify key stories, artifacts, and practices to feature. Co- create narratives: Invite knowledge holders to write or record their perspectives. Respect protocols: Some cultural information is sensitive; ensure you have permission before digitizing or publishing. For example, DISA emphasizes participatory design in their projects, ensuring that digital tools reflect the priorities and values of African communities rather than imposing external frameworks. Step 2: Choose Virtual Tour Software That Fits Your Budget and Goals There are many virtual tour software options, but not all align with the constraints and ambitions of Nigerian local museums. Here are some low-budget museum tech solutions to consider:

2. Software Cost Features Best For Google Arts & Culture Free 360° images, storytelling, integration with Google Search Museums with existing digital collections; wide reach ThingLink Freemium; paid plans from $25/month Interactive images and videos, hotspots linking to text/audio Engaging multimedia exhibits; educators Kuula Free basic; Pro $120/year 360° virtual tours, embedded multimedia, easy sharing Quick, simple virtual walkthroughs Museum Anywhere Custom pricing Dedicated museum platform with visitor analytics Institutions seeking full virtual exhibition solutions For local Nigerian museums, starting with free or low-cost tools like Google Arts & Culture or ThingLink can provide substantial functionality without investment in expensive hardware or software development. Remember, the goal is not flashy tech but meaningful engagement. A well-written story accompanied by clear images and audio recordings of local languages can be more impactful than a high-budget but shallow interface. Step 3: Writing Exhibit Text That Resonates Exhibit text is the narrative thread weaving your virtual artifacts into a cohesive story. Here are guidelines to keep in mind: Use clear, accessible language: Avoid jargon or overly academic terms that may alienate general audiences. Contextualize artifacts: Explain the cultural significance, history, and function of each item or practice. Highlight voices of cultural custodians: Use quotes or recorded oral histories to give authenticity. Keep texts concise: Online readers skim; break content into digestible chunks. Incorporate local languages: Embed phrases or audio snippets in indigenous tongues to encourage preservation and interest. For example, when describing an Ekpe society mask from Cross River, don’t just note its appearance. Explain its role in community governance, secret rituals, and social cohesion, citing elders’ explanations to maintain accuracy and respect. Step 4: Digitize with Care and Quality Digitizing cultural artifacts and performances requires both technical attention and ethical foresight. Photography: Use good lighting and high-resolution cameras (even modern smartphones can suffice) to capture details. 3D Scanning: For sculptures or intricate objects, affordable photogrammetry apps can generate 3D models without specialized equipment. Audio/Video Recording: Record oral histories, songs, or rituals using quality microphones; background noise should be minimized. Metadata: Document provenance, creator information, permissions, and cultural context meticulously. Note that digitization is a snapshot, not a replacement. As I often remind colleagues, virtual exhibits are not ‘backups’ of culture but new interfaces through which culture lives and evolves. Step 5: Leverage Successful Models Like Taiwan’s 539 System Taiwan’s 539 system provides a compelling example of decentralized cultural digitization and dissemination. It offers a platform where local communities can document and share their intangible cultural heritage under standardized

3. guidelines, ensuring quality and authenticity. What can Nigerian stakeholders learn from Taiwan? Community empowerment: Allow local groups to manage their own digital heritage records. Standardization: Develop metadata and documentation standards to ensure consistency and interoperability. Government support: Policies and funding that incentivize open cultural data sharing. Initiatives like this could inspire Nigeria’s federal and state governments to collaborate with museums and tech entrepreneurs in building a national virtual heritage platform. Step 6: Promote and Sustain Your Virtual Exhibit Launching a virtual exhibit is only the beginning. Sustainability is crucial to prevent cultural erasure disguised as digital innovation. Collaborate with schools: Integrate exhibits into curricula to engage younger generations. Social media campaigns: Use platforms popular among Nigerian youth, such as Instagram and TikTok, to share snippets and drive traffic. Regular updates: Add new content or seasonal exhibits to maintain audience interest. Feedback loops: Create channels for community members to suggest corrections or additions, respecting evolving traditions. Digital Innovation South Africa (DISA) exemplifies how sustained community engagement paired with agile tech development can keep cultural projects relevant and respectful. Conclusion: Beyond Digitization—Towards Living Cultural Code In sum, creating a virtual exhibit is not merely about digitizing artifacts or using the latest virtual tour software. It is about weaving together traditional knowledge, community participation, and appropriate technology to produce a cultural experience that is authentic, accessible, and adaptable. Nigerian museums, academics, and entrepreneurs stand at a unique crossroads. By vanguardngr.com embracing low- budget museum tech thoughtfully and collaborating closely with cultural custodians, we can transform museums into vibrant digital spaces where languages, histories, and rituals continue to thrive. As you embark on this journey, remember: culture is not static data to be stored; it is living code that we must nurture, debug, and upgrade for future generations.