Transformation of visitor experience and community integration
Challenge
The main goals of the project were:
To modernize the visitor experience, making it more seamless and technological.
To increase the museum's integration with local communities, enhancing existing programs.
To structure data collection and usage to improve the museum's management and curatorship.
My role
Proposal of strategic integrations: I worked on identifying and suggesting actions to connect the museum with surrounding communities, respecting the historical and social context of Pequena África (Little Africa).
Qualitative and quantitative research: I structured and conducted research with different audience profiles, as well as concept and accessibility tests, to map barriers and opportunities.
Process
The approach was designed to ensure deep diagnostics and recommendations aligned with the museum's context:
Immersion and alignment: We started with a guided tour and alignment workshop between the consultancy and museum teams, mapping routines, staff pain points, and public demands.
Multidimensional research: I conducted research with visitors, non-visitors, and tourists, identifying perceptions, access barriers, and expectations. Concept and accessibility tests provided insights on how to make the space more inclusive and attractive.
Contextual analysis: Considering the history of underfunding during and after the pandemic and the strategic location in Pequena África, I deepened the understanding of the museum's role in valuing Black culture and connecting with low-income communities who, despite free access, rarely visited the museum's interior.
Synthesis and prioritization: I organized the main findings into an action plan, prioritizing high-impact interventions for the visitor experience and community integration.
The research revealed technological barriers (due to discontinued contracts), lack of communication about activities, and a perception that the museum's interior was intimidating or not very accessible to the local population. We found that community members participated in outdoor activities but rarely explored the museum's interior, either because they did not feel they belonged or did not understand the purpose of the exhibitions.
As a deliverable, I proposed:
Approaches and engagement strategies, with actions inviting the local population to get to know and occupy the museum's interior.
Suggestions for integration with other museums and artists in the region, strengthening the cultural ecosystem of Pequena Africa.
Recommendations to improve data collection, making it easier to personalize experiences and manage the collection, through the availability of exclusive content and free internet access.
These actions are being implemented directly by the museum team, with already noticeable results in expanding the audience and strengthening the relationship with the neighborhood.
*The company information has been withheld to ensure the protection of confidential data.
Results
