The Digital Access to Heritage component of the Museums Assistance Program (MAP) fostered improved access to heritage collections through collections digitization and digital content development, along with activities that built capacity in these areas. The component also supported the development and delivery of related training, resources and services that benefited multiple museums.

Program Objectives

• Foster improved access to heritage collections through digitization and digital content development
• Build capacity in digitization and digital content creation
• Support development and delivery of training, resources and services benefiting multiple museums
• Enable heritage organizations to reach broader audiences through digital platforms
• Strengthen professional knowledge, skills and practices in digital heritage management

Eligible Project Examples

• Capacity building projects to support digitization of and digital access to heritage collections, including development of digitization strategies and training
• Collection digitization projects guided by a digitization strategy, with majority of digitized collections made accessible to the general public through websites, social media, virtual exhibitions, interactive media or collection portals
• Digital content development projects based on digitized heritage collections, delivered online and/or in person and published using various digital programs, platforms and channels
• Best practice sharing projects involving multiple organizations, including development and delivery of training, resources and services (must involve more than one organization or be developed by one to benefit multiple organizations)
• Professional development activities, tools and strategies for organizations and staff to strengthen knowledge, skills and practices in digitization, digital content creation and digital engagement
• Development of products such as interactive media, collection portals, apps, games, immersive environments and other digitally enabled experiences
• Virtual exhibitions and content related to heritage collections, or to contemporary art that is retrospective or presents historical perspective

Key Requirements

• All products presented to the public must be developed in both official languages
• Projects involving collection digitization must be guided by a digitization strategy and include making the majority of digitized artefacts accessible to the general public