Museums Must Evolve or Fade: How Community-Centered Innovation Is the Future of Cultural Institutions 

Museums are at a turning point. Once considered places to passively observe art, history, or science, today’s museums must take on a much more dynamic role—one rooted in community, connection, and experience. With federal funding for the arts in steep decline, the survival of museums increasingly depends on their ability to transform into active community hubs. Those that don’t adapt risk becoming relics of the past. 

At the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting, Vicinia had the opportunity to engage with dozens of museum executives, curators, and directors from across the United States and abroad. One common theme echoed across conversations: a sense of urgency. These leaders were not just attending for inspiration—they came in search of tools and technologies that could help them build deeper, more lasting relationships with their audiences. 

The New Role of Museums: More Than Exhibits 

Today’s cultural institutions are being reimagined as spaces where people not only learn and explore but also belong. Whether through mommy-and-me classes, local community gatherings, artist talks, or live events, museums are expanding their offerings beyond traditional exhibitions. 

To support this shift, museums need platforms that connect the dots—between space and people, between physical visits and digital engagement, between the curiosity sparked during a tour and the lasting connection that follows. 

Vicinia: Building People-Centered Digital Twins 

At Vicinia, we believe that digital transformation should always be people-first. Our digital twin platform was designed with the needs of cultural venues in mind, enabling museums to: 

• Create virtual and on-site tours that are engaging, accessible, and personalized. 

• Extend audience engagement through branded mobile apps that keep visitors connected long after their visit, with real-time event updates, announcements, and reminders. 

• Enhance wayfinding with interactive maps and digital kiosks that guide guests through every corner of the institution—ensuring no hidden gem goes unnoticed. 

• Streamline check-in and visitor data capture, helping museums understand visitor preferences and behavior. 

• Segment and target audiences based on interests, enabling more relevant, timely, and effective marketing outreach. 

Technology as a Bridge, Not a Barrier 

Vicinia doesn’t replace the physical magic of museums—it enhances it. Our solutions are designed to support the evolving role of museums as welcoming, interactive, and community-centric spaces. Whether someone is a first-time visitor, a parent returning for a children’s program, or a long-time supporter attending an after-hours event, our tools ensure they feel informed, invited, and inspired to return. 

The key to long-term sustainability isn’t just foot traffic—it’s relationships. And relationships are built when institutions meet people where they are, both physically and digitally. 

Join the Movement 

As funding becomes less certain and competition for attention intensifies, museums must turn to innovation not as a luxury but as a necessity. The good news? The tools already exist. Vicinia is proud to partner with cultural institutions that are ready to think differently—to turn exhibitions into experiences, and buildings into bridges between people and purpose. 

If your museum is ready to reimagine engagement and deepen its community roots, we’re here to help. 

→ Learn more about how Vicinia is powering people-first digital transformations in museums. Contact us today