Magdalena Sawczuk

Museums are more often analyzed from diverse perspectives, which include the multiplicity of their functions performed. The biggest interest regards cultural, social, or tourism activities. Nevertheless, educational activities, addressing especially the school youngsters, are of importance as well. Among the multifunctionality and diversity of functions performed, less is explored about the cooperation within the framework of scientific projects, which is closely connected to the basic museum duties: collecting and researching. The main aim of the article is to recognize the importance of cooperation initiated by museums within the area of scientific activity. It was specified by two research questions: 1. What entities are engaged in scientific-based cooperation? 2. In which ways effects of such activity are co-created? Within the qualitative research approach applied, the multiple case study method was selected. During the research, the semi-structured interviews were applied, as also observations and content analysis from social media sites. Although the focus on the scientific activities depends on the specific institution, yet is important while looking at the basic activities performed by museums. Scientific cooperation very often connects similar organizations, but also opens for new relations. Despite strict scientific dimensions, the benefits may also affect less involved entities. Field research and conferences, especially visible parts of scientific activities, have an aspect of co-creation as well.

In the current dynamic environment, museums, instead of deliberating whether they should be audience-oriented, have to consider how to implement this idea to shape positive experiences. Moreover, museums need to adapt their communication methods to suit the current audience, which is diverse in terms of age, to rethink how the value of museums should be communicated. As museums are places where visitors see artifacts but also experience something, the concept of inclusivity and accessibility has gradually garnered much more attention. As they are not the same concepts, it is crucial to analyze them separately. Therefore, the article explores to what extent museums include the issue of inclusivity in their virtual content and the possibility of virtual assistance. Content analysis from official social media profiles and websites was conducted to realize the assumed aim. The study involves museums from two Polish voivodships. Data was collected between August and December 2023. The study revealed differences in how museums address their content and activities to people from different language backgrounds. Some institutions are oriented towards online assistance and language inclusivity, yet in the other, many areas need improvement. In further research, it would be valuable to include the perspectives of museum employees.