[Article] Inclusion in museums: Museo Tattile Omero case study

Article by the Italian Ministry of Culture.

All the pictures are created by Monica Bernacchia, all the files are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

In recent years, accessibility and inclusion in the cultural heritage field have taken a central role in  innovation projects. Several museums, institutions and associations are developing creative solutions to  make cultural heritage more accessible to all people, regardless of disability, age or social-cultural  background.  

Innovative projects in this area include: tactile and multisensory museums, augmented and virtual reality  (AR/VR) apps, haptic technologies, audio descriptions and self-narration systems, artificial intelligence  and conversational interfaces, subtitling and sign language, 3D printing and Tactile Reproductions and  inclusive paths in archaeological sites, museums and theatres. In line with MuseIT's commitment to inclusion and accessibility, we wanted to highlight the following example shared by our project partner, the Italian Ministry of Culture.

A blindfolded user seen from behind is touching a bas-relief of Greek origin.

The discovery of Tactil Museum Omero: a cultural experience inclusive to all.

The State Tactile Museum Omero, located in Ancona, Italy, is a unique example in the Italian and European  museum scene. In an art world that traditionally relies on sight, this museum stands out for its inclusive mission: to make art accessible to everyone, especially to people with visual impairments. Imagine  entering a museum where, contrary to what we have always been taught, touching works of art is not  only allowed, but strongly encouraged. At the Museo Tattile Omero, sculptures, reproductions of great  works of art and architectural models are on display precisely to be explored through touch. 

This revolutionary philosophy transforms the museum experience into something multi-sensory, allowing blind or visually impaired people to interact directly with works of art. Here, touch becomes the  privileged channel for understanding the shapes, dimensions and details of sculptures and models ranging from classical to modern art.  

Although created with the main objective of being accessible to the visually impaired, the Museo Omero  is designed to be enjoyed by all visitors, regardless of their sensory abilities. In fact, the tactile experience  is not only reserved for the visually impaired but is open to anyone who wants to approach art in a new  and engaging way. 

In our approach to culture, sight has always played a predominant role. However, touch offers a deep  and intimate way of interacting with art, allowing us to appreciate aspects such as texture, volume and  three-dimensionality. Sculptures become stories that unfold under the fingers, creating a unique  connection between the work and the visitor.  

The Museo Omero boasts a tactile collection that includes replicas of classical masterpieces such as the  Venus de Milo and the Laocoon, as well as sculptures by contemporary artists. The aim is to give visitors  a complete experience, overcoming the limitations imposed by visual impairment.  

Inclusion here takes many forms: in addition to the tactile routes, the museum is equipped with  information panels in Braille, audio guides describing the works in detail, and routes designed for people  with motor disabilities. Moreover, the museum offers a wide range of educational workshops for schools and groups, with activities that promote sensory understanding of art. The workshops are designed to  be inclusive and accessible to children and adults with different abilities, and involve different forms of  artistic expression, such as tactile drawing, sculpture and modelling. The Omero Museum is also exploring  the use of innovative technologies to further improve accessibility. These tools include audiodescription apps, 3D models that faithfully reproduce the works of art, and augmented reality systems to enrich the  visit also from a visual point of view.  

In this picture a blindfolded user is touching a bronze sculpture with the help of another person.

The Museo Tattile Omero represents a model for how the museums of the future should be designed:  open, inclusive spaces where culture is accessible to all and where no one is excluded from the possibility  of enjoying cultural heritage.  

The future of cultural heritage lies in its accessibility. Technological innovations, multisensory projects  and inclusive policies are enabling more and more people to enjoy works of art, historical sites and  architecture that are part of our cultural heritage.

Learn more on the Museum: https://www.museoomero.it/en/museum/