In this session, James Rein and Mel Francis explore what makes digital curation truly effective. They examine the key components of successful digital curation and discuss its broader purpose beyond simply storing digital files. The session highlights how effective curation preserves meaning, context, and provenance while making collections more accessible, discoverable, and valuable to wider audiences.
Drawing on case studies from the In Flanders Fields Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art, the speakers demonstrate how cultural institutions are using digital curation practices to enhance engagement with their collections and support long-term stewardship.
The session concludes by exploring how effective digital curation can connect artworks and collections across institutions, increasing public access and discovery through collaborative platforms such as Art UK and Europeana. Attendees gain insight into how thoughtful curation strategies can help bring collections to life and unlock new opportunities for collaboration, research, and public engagement.