Back to the Future Museum -- Speculative Design for Virtual Citizen-Curated Museums

Abstract: This forward-looking paper uses speculative design fiction to explore future museum scenarios where citizen curators design and share immersive virtual reality museums populated with tangible heritage artefacts, intangible virtual elements and interactive experiences. The work also explores takeaway 'asset packs' containing 3D artefact models, curation assets, and interactive experiences, and we envisage a visit to the future museum, where the physical and virtual experiences interplay. Finally, the paper considers the implications of this future museum in terms of resources and the potential impacts on traditional museums.