Emotional Ties Boost Digital Museum Engagement
A new study by the Institute of Science Tokyo finds that emotional connections to cultural heritage are key to encouraging people to engage with digital cultural experiences, with implications for regional museums worldwide
A study published in the ACM Journal on Computing and Cultural Heritage on June 18, 2026, has found that emotional ties to cultural heritage have the strongest link to digital museum engagement. The research, conducted by Yaotian Ai, Xinru Zhu, and Kayoko Nohara from the Institute of Science Tokyo, investigated the factors influencing visitors' willingness to engage with digital exhibitions at a regional museum in Japan.
The study evaluated visitor experiences using four technology-related factors: Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Hedonic Motivation. Additionally, the researchers assessed three types of authenticity: Original Authenticity, Interactive Authenticity, and emotional connection. The digital exhibition, created using photogrammetry and iPad LiDAR technology, featured the Atelier and Jibutsudo at the Ryushi Memorial Museum.
The researchers' findings suggest that emotional connections to cultural heritage play a central role in encouraging people to engage with digital cultural experiences. This discovery offers a new direction for regional museums seeking to maximize cultural impact with limited resources. By understanding what drives visitor engagement, museums can create more effective digital exhibitions that foster a deeper connection with cultural heritage.
## Why it matters The study's results are significant because they highlight the importance of emotional connections in digital museum engagement. As museums increasingly use digital technologies to create more interactive and accessible experiences, understanding what encourages people to engage with digital cultural content is crucial. The findings provide practical guidance for regional museums to inspire visitor participation and long-term engagement, which can help to maximize cultural impact despite limited resources.
The use of digital technologies in museums has shifted the focus from object-centered to experience-centered exhibitions, making it essential to understand the factors that influence visitor engagement. By recognizing the role of emotional ties to cultural heritage, museums can create digital exhibitions that not only showcase cultural artifacts but also foster a sense of connection and community among visitors.
