Abstract
The evidence of our existence is tied intrinsically to the objects we prioritize and preserve. The museum, though it is imperfect, is a manifestation of the desire to catalog and organize visual and material culture. In digitizing collections of art and artifacts, the physical boundaries of the museum space are transcended. There are inherent liabilities with a physical art object, but online it exists forever. Digitizing museum collections is a way to perpetuate memory across a different medium. I will explore the role of the museum as a public space and vessel for telegraphing ideas of culture , as well as the nuances of accessibility and representation. With museums increasingly investing in their digital interfaces, I will examine how this impacts community access, art education, and art experience.