Designing the Future of UK-China RD&I Collaboration in the Museums and Galleries Sector

Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The museums and galleries sector is central to the creative industries of both the UK and China, and it has experienced substantial growth in recent years. This expansion, driven by the rapid emergence of immersive and interactive technologies, has contributed significantly to the culture, society, and economies of both countries. The UK and China are presently engaged in actively pursuing opportunities for bilateral collaboration in this area, with a particular emphasis on immersive and interactive technologies, to foster long-term international partnerships geared towards enhancing transnational cultural exchange and accelerating their global outreach and recognition. Despite strong interest, there’s a need for strategic efforts to propel this exchange forward at the sector-wide level. Accordingly, this research aims to deliver a strategic framework that can facilitate the long-term RD&I collaboration between museums and galleries in the UK and China, focusing on immersive and interactive museum and gallery experiences. The research comprised four phases. The first focused on understanding the current trends in using immersive and interactive technologies in the museums and galleries sector and explored existing RD&I collaboration between the UK and China. An extensive literature review and in-depth case studies were applied to this exploratory study. The next step involved investigating current and emerging audience trends by conducting a questionnaire survey with museum and gallery audiences and interviewing four groups of stakeholders from both the UK and China: (i) museums and galleries, (ii) creative businesses, (iii) academic research communities, and (iv) policymakers and implementers The third phase saw the staging of a creative workshop with key stakeholders and audiences to obtain feedback on the key findings and elicit key considerations for creating a strategic framework for long-term RD&I collaboration. Phase four established this strategic framework. The research findings demonstrate the significant impact and benefits of employing immersive and interactive technologies in the museums and galleries sector. Both stakeholders and audiences expressed positive views towards utilising these technologies to enhance museum and gallery experiences and promote international collaboration. Nevertheless, the research pinpoints critical issues, including divergent awareness, experiences and preferences among audiences, dependence on government funding for development, and a deficiency of strategic partnerships among stakeholders. A strategic framework has been developed to facilitate long-term RD&I collaboration between the UK and China. This framework serves as a guide for relevant stakeholders – including policymakers and implementers, museums and galleries, creative businesses, academic institutions and audiences – to better understand and execute essential elements, core qualities and key stakeholders’ roles. With this framework, stakeholders are expected to have the opportunity to embrace a multifaceted strategy aimed at mitigating challenges and impediments while simultaneously amplifying factors that drive and capitalise on opportunities impacting the endurance of long-term RD&I collaboration between the UK and China.

执行摘要: 近年来，博物馆与画廊行业增长迅速，已成为中英两国创意产业的核心支柱。这一增长主要由沉浸式和交互式技术的快速发展所推动，对两国的文化、社会和经济发展均产生了重大影响。目前，中英两国正积极探索该领域内的双边合作机会，特别是在沉浸式和交互式技术的应用上，借以促进面向加强国际文化交流，提升全球影响力及知名度的长期国际伙伴关系。尽管双方对此存在浓厚的合作兴趣，但仍需在行业层面上做出战略性推动，以促进这一合作向纵深发展。基于此，本研究旨在构建一个战略框架，促进中英两国在博物馆与画廊领域的长期性RD&I合作，同时关注沉浸式和交互式技术在该领域内的应用和体验。 本研究分为四个阶段。第一阶段，通过广泛的文献回顾和深入的案例分析，关注沉浸式和交互式技术在博物馆与画廊行业的应用趋势，并探讨中英之间现有的RD&I合作现状。第二阶段，通过问卷调查和访谈，从(i)博物馆与画廊观众(ii)创意企业、(iii)学术研究社群，及(iv)政策制定者与执行者等多个利益相关者角度，收集反馈，揭示当前及新兴的观众趋势。第三阶段，组织了创意研讨会，邀请关键利益相关者和观众就主要研究发现提供反馈，并提炼出构建长期RD&I合作战略框架的关键要素。第四阶段，确立了这一战略框架。 研究结果表明，沉浸式和交互式技术在博物馆与画廊行业的应用对两国产生了积极的影响和显著的效益。利益相关者和观众对这些技术持积极态度，认为其能够丰富参观体验并促进国际合作与交流。然而，研究同时指出了一些挑战，包括观众的认知、体验和偏好的差异，对政府资金的过度依赖，以及缺乏战略性合作关系。 为推动中英之间的长期RD&I合作，本研究构建了一个战略框架。该框架作为一个指南，旨在帮助相关利益相关者（包括政策制定者和执行者、博物馆和画廊、创意企业、学术机构和观众）更好地理解基本要素、核心品质，并行使好关键利益相关者的角色。通过这一框架，相关利益相关者有望采用多元化战略应对挑战，同时抓住持续影响中英长期RD&I合作的机遇。