Museums face digital skills gap post-Covid

The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated digitalization in cultural institutions, but a skills gap now threatens long-term transformation. A Talk Together event on February 4, organized by GATE 4.0, University of Pisa, and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, featured Chiara Bodei, Michela Cicchinè, and Marta De Michelis. Museums initially used social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter) for live streams and quizzes, like Lucca Center of Contemporary Art's YouTube series with its director and an actress. However, participants stressed that digital initiatives need organic integration. Museums are shifting from being containers of cultural heritage to active spaces for collaboration with external entities (companies, artists, researchers). Digital technologies can create new narratives and experiences, exemplified by Venice VR Expanded at the Venice Film Festival and the Virtual Reality Movie Festival in Pisa. Digital tools also enhance educational programs, though physical visits remain irreplaceable. The main challenge is the lack of skilled personnel who combine digital expertise with museum knowledge. Solutions include partnerships with universities and businesses for training and prototyping scalable projects.