ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Museum of Toronto's Digital Ecosystem: Infrastructure Before Output

institutional · 2026-09-02

During the MuseumNext Digital Exhibitions Summit in July 2026, Davin Henson, a digital producer at the Museum of Toronto, shared insights on the institution's transformation into a comprehensive digital ecosystem. Initially called Myseum of Toronto, it functioned without a physical location and relied on citywide initiatives. The shift to online activities was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In 2022, the museum launched its inaugural gallery, and Henson joined as a full-time employee, experimenting with TikTok. A significant organizational change occurred when Rachel Hilton transitioned from marketing to programming. The exhibition 'The 52' honored notable women from Toronto. By 2024, the museum underwent rebranding, emphasizing infrastructure, which culminated in the June exhibition 'TO You Don't Know'. Henson highlighted the critical role of infrastructure and project sequencing.

Key facts

  • Davin Henson spoke at the MuseumNext Digital Exhibitions Summit in July 2026.
  • Museum of Toronto was formerly Myseum of Toronto and initially had no physical space.
  • The museum's programming included Intersections festival and immersive walking tours.
  • In 2022, the museum opened a gallery and Henson became full-time staff.
  • Rachel Hilton moved digital from marketing to programming in mid-2024.
  • The exhibition 'The 52' featured 52 monologues by 52 actors across 40 devices.
  • The museum rebranded as Museum of Toronto in 2024.
  • The website was rebuilt as a storytelling platform, not a marketing calendar.
  • A digital asset manager (DAM) was built with a real taxonomy.
  • The exhibition 'TO You Don't Know' opened in June and featured a haiku generator.
  • Henson's principle: infrastructure before output.

Entities

Institutions

  • Museum of Toronto
  • Myseum of Toronto
  • MuseumNext

Locations

  • Toronto
  • Canada
  • Lake Ontario

Sources