Engaging, interactive, and reflective visitor experiences in dynamic art and science museums through storytelling and technology

This chapter emphasizes the importance of meaningful museum interactions between visitors, collections, narratives, and supporting curation tools, and provides support and guidelines for transitioning visitor experiences from passive to active engagement. It argues for placing storytelling and reflective interaction at the heart of dynamic contemporary museum experiences, with technology serving as a potential supportive mediator for curation.In the first part, four dimensions of meaningful museum experiences are discussed along with guidelines based on evidence-informed principles. These four dimensions include considerations about narrative design, collection curation, digital curation tools, and the broader impact of museum interactions. The second part focuses more specifically on important traits of meaningful technology-mediated tools in museum settings. These traits are derived from co-designed prototypes developed by children and university students. The findings show how careful and thoughtful use of technological mediation can support collections rather than distract from them.Throughout the chapter, it becomes clear how museums are important spaces for enhancing critical thinking, societal dialogue, cultural reflection, and visual literacy skills in increasingly mediatized societies.Keywords – visitor engagement, storytelling, technology mediation, curation tools, narrative design, impact, museum environments, participatory research