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Introduction: sustainable museums
In today’s context, where environmental responsibility, social impact, and economic resilience are at the core of international discourse, claiming that a museum is sustainable is no longer a bonus — it’s a strategic imperative. For museum directors and curators, adopting a sustainable approach means rethinking the cultural institution’s role as an ethical, ecological, and accessible infrastructure.
But when can we truly talk about sustainable museums? And what indicators should we act upon to integrate sustainability structurally within a museum?
Sustainability in the cultural sector: redefining mission and impact
In the cultural sector, sustainability isn’t an add-on — it’s a redefinition of purpose. According to the report “Museums, Sustainability and the Future” by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM, 2020), museum sustainability is measured by the institution’s ability to maintain cultural relevance, organizational efficiency, and a positive local impact.
The three core dimensions of sustainability in the cultural sector are:
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Environmental, which involves reducing the environmental footprint of museums through long-term strategies.
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Social, linked to equity, accessibility, and community inclusion.
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Economic, defined as sustainable financial management and operational autonomy.
The balanced integration of these dimensions is what sets a sustainable museum apart from one that adopts isolated or superficial measures.
Reducing museums’ environmental impact: from theory to practice
The first pillar of museum sustainability is environmental. It’s not just about technological upgrades but about structural choices that affect the museum’s entire lifecycle — from building design and collection management to exhibition logistics.
Key best practices to reduce museums’ environmental impact include:
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Energy efficiency, using renewable sources and intelligent climate control (e.g., the Louisiana Museum in Denmark reduced consumption by 40% through environmental sensors).
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Sustainable exhibition design, using modular, recycled, or reusable materials, built to adapt across exhibitions.
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Digitization of catalogues, ticketing, informational materials, and audio guides to reduce paper use and waste production.
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Collaborations with certified sustainable suppliers.
The ISO 14001 certification, increasingly adopted by European museums, provides a valuable framework for structuring verifiable environmental processes.
Inclusion and social impact: the museum as civic infrastructure
A sustainable museum is also a space that creates lasting social value. This means viewing the institution not just as a place for preservation and exhibition, but as an active agent within the civic and cultural fabric.
Key social sustainability goals include:
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Eliminating physical and cognitive barriers, with accessible routes and inclusive digital tools.
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Cultural co-design with local communities, as seen at the Mucem in Marseille, where curators and local stakeholders collaborate to shape exhibitions.
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Ongoing training and valuing internal human resources.
As highlighted in UNESCO’s “Culture 2030 Indicators” report, museums that work with and for communities significantly increase their impact capacity and audience loyalty.
Economic sustainability: management models and new opportunities
Economic sustainability forms the operational foundation for the other two pillars. Without solid, transparent, and diversified management, no museum can truly be considered sustainable.
Key strategies include:
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Diversifying funding sources — not just public grants but also private partnerships, crowdfunding, and international grants.
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Optimizing internal processes through digital tools (e.g., performance and flow management using platforms like amuseapp).
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Developing high-value cultural offerings, generating revenue not only from ticketing but also from ancillary services like food, retail, and events.
Tools and indicators for sustainable museums: a practical roadmap for sustainable museums
To translate vision into action, practical tools are essential. Some frameworks already adopted internationally by museums include:
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Museums Environmental Framework (Arts Council England) for environmental monitoring.
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2030 Agenda indicators applied to the cultural sector, which can be integrated into annual reporting.
Transparency and measurable impact are now expected not only by funders but also by visitors, who are increasingly attentive to the ethical behavior of cultural institutions.
Conclusion: toward sustainable museums
For museum directors and curators, sustainability is no longer an option but a design responsibility. A sustainable museum is one that can generate cultural, environmental, and social value in a coherent and integrated way. It is an institution that not only preserves heritage but also redefines its role in contemporary society.
Implementing sustainability means rethinking governance, redesigning the experience, and realigning missions. It is not a mere regulatory compliance — it’s a strategic choice that positions the museum as a leader in global cultural transformation.
amuseapp – The Digital Revolution for Cultural Venues
amuseapp is more than just an audio guide—it’s an innovative digital platform that transforms visitor experiences and helps museums increase revenue.
- AI-powered personalized itineraries. Unlike traditional audio guides, amuseapp uses artificial intelligence to create customized routes tailored to different visitor needs: children, people with sensory disabilities, experts, students, and more.
- Accessibility in 30 languages. Currently, only 20% of museums offer content in more than two languages. With amuseapp, cultural institutions can overcome this barrier by automatically generating text and audio in 30 languages, making cultural heritage accessible to everyone, anywhere.
- Real-time virtual tour guide chatbot. A customized chatbot allows amuseapp to offer visitors a virtual guide that is always available, providing answers to their questions and enriching their museum experience.
- Simple and secure donation collection. With amuseapp, cultural institutions can easily and securely collect donations directly through the app.
- Visitor feedback for continuous improvement. amuseapp enables institutions to gather visitor insights on their experiences, providing valuable data to optimize museum services.
- Available as an app or web app. amuseapp’s web app allows visitors to access digital museum content without needing to download anything, while the mobile app offers an even more advanced and customizable experience.
One solution, multiple benefits. With amuseapp, cultural institutions can provide an innovative, inclusive, and interactive experience while improving their sustainability model.
