The Technology and Experience Development Unit 

Technology and experience development are key drivers of innovation in museums, as they improve operational efficiency and enhance visitor engagement, promote accessibility, and enable new and immersive ways of interacting with exhibits. This unit is an integral part of the visitor-centred ethos of the agency. The Technology and Experience Development Unit brings together two main departments within the agency that are catalysts of innovation, these being the digitisation unit and the Information technology department. 

Some reasons why technology and experience development are important in driving innovation at Heritage Malta include:

1. Visitor Engagement: Technology offers museums the opportunity to create interactive and personalised experiences for visitors. Through touchscreens, interactive displays, and multimedia presentations, visitors can actively engage with exhibits, delve deeper into the content, and have a more meaningful and memorable experience. By incorporating technology, museums can capture visitors’ attention, spark curiosity, and foster a deeper connection with the subject matter.
2. Immersive and Multi-Sensory Experiences: Technology enables museums to create immersive environments that transport visitors to different times, places, or perspectives. Virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies can simulate historical events, recreate ancient civilisations, or provide interactive visualisations. By immersing visitors in these experiences, museums can offer a deeper understanding of the subject matter and evoke emotional responses, making the visit more impactful and transformative.
3. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Technology plays a crucial role in making museums more accessible to a wider audience. Through digital platforms and virtual tours, museums can reach individuals who are physically unable to visit in person or who face geographic limitations. Furthermore, technologies like audio descriptions, closed captions, and tactile displays cater to visitors with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive experience for all. By leveraging technology, museums can extend their reach and make cultural and educational resources available to diverse communities.
4. Innovative Exhibition Designs: Experience development in museums involves the creative use of technology to design exhibitions that captivate and educate visitors. From interactive installations to gamified learning experiences, technology offers endless possibilities for experimentation and innovation in exhibit design. Museums can use digital storytelling techniques, interactive games, and sensorial displays to create dynamic and engaging exhibits that resonate with contemporary audiences.
5. Data-Driven Insights: Technology allows museums to gather data on visitor interactions, preferences, and behaviours. By analysing this data, museums can gain valuable insights into visitor engagement, exhibit effectiveness, and audience demographics. These insights can inform future decision-making, exhibit design, and programming, leading to continuous improvement and innovation within the museum space.
6. The unit is responsible for implementing two main agency-wide software systems that will be at the very core of the agency’s daily operations, these being the Collections Management System for managing the national collection of tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets as well as the Enterprise Resource Planning system aimed at supporting automation and processes in finance, human resources, supply chain, services, and procurement.

Technology and experience development are vital drivers of innovation in museums, enabling enhanced visitor engagement, accessibility, and the creation of immersive and interactive exhibits. By embracing technology and developing innovative experiences, museums can stay relevant, attract new audiences, and foster a deeper appreciation for art, history, science, and culture.

Digitisation Department
The digitisation Department is responsible for digitising the tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets entrusted to Heritage Malta for the widest possible use by current and future generations.

IT Department
The Information Technology Department plays a pivotal role in the modernisation and optimisation of Heritage Malta’s technology infrastructure. With a commitment to harnessing the power of cutting–edge IT solutions, this department strives to enhance accessibility, efficiency, and innovation.