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Empowering museums through technology

Expanding access, sharing content: Empowering museums through technology is a pilot project considers the digitization of the collections and application of in-site technology in 2 national museums dedicated to the medieval art and iconography. The National Museum of Iconography ONUFRI and the National Museum of Medieval Art, which have very reach collections and preserve some of the most significant artifacts of the Byzantine art, in the region. The project, aims to amplify the unique value of these museums by merging cultural heritage and new technology, both promising assets for a sustainable development of museum as main pillars of cultural tourism industry.

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  • 10.11.2022

    AADF Board of Trustees visits the National Digitization Unit

    AADF Board of Trustees visits the National Digitization Unit

    There is much more than meets the eye of a historic building. It is precisely that unique imprint of time in its layers that must be discovered, preserved, and shared with the world.

    “Working with heritage is about making your own part of history, your legacy for future generations” emphasized the Chairman of the board of AADF, Mr. Michael D. Granoff, during today’s visit to the Ministry of Culture.

    Visiting for the first time the state-of-art imaging studios of the National Digitization Unit, the AADF Board of Trustees, accompanied by Minister Margariti, followed the digitization process of 3D objects carried out by the Archaeological Museum in Durrës and the museum specialists of the National Gallery of Arts, led by Cultural Heritage Imaging – American trainers.

    The EXPA project is now developing its second phase dedicated to the training of museum specialists with the aim of sending contemporary knowledge and modern technology to all national museums of the country.

    Detailed description

  • 07.03.2020

    Completion of the National Imaging Center reconstruction work

    Completion of the National Imaging Center reconstruction work

    On June 30th 2020, the reconstruction work of the National Imaging Center, an important part of the second phase of the “Empowering museums through technology” project, for which AADF allocated a budget of $650,000, was completed.

    This unit will serve as a center for the digitization of the cultural heritage and will operate using high standards equipment and international expertise while covering the entire range of cultural artifacts nationwide. This is a long term and sustainable investment to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Albania.

    The specific nature of the project and the level of expertise required during the construction of the Unit, the first of its kind in Albania, represented a challenge for all parties involved. The project and the reconstruction work were assisted by the experts of “Cultural Heritage Imaging”, a leader in the field, based in San Francisco, USA.

    With the reconstruction now completed, the imagery equipment will be transferred to the new premises during the next month. The training of Albanian experts in the field of cultural heritage imaging will begin soon after.

    The Museum of Medieval Art in Korça and the “Onufri” Museum in Berat will also receive the entire range of digital imaging equipment – which includes hardware, software, and additional accessories – which will allow them to create digital copies of their incredibly vast and rich collections.

    Detailed description 

  • 05.18.2020

    Work on progress for the reconstruction of the National Unit for Digitalization Cultural Heritage premises

    We are continuing the work for the reconstruction of the National Unit for Digitalization Cultural Heritage premises.

    The unit is part of the second phase of the project “Empowering museums through technology”, which AADF is implementing in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture. At this stage, we will build digital infrastructure and training programs for digital heritage digitalization practices in Albania.

    This unit, the first of its kind in the region, will apply the highest international standards of imaging equipment’ and will create a community of museum experts who will apply contemporary imaging practices in order to preserve, restore and promote cultural heritage.

  • 04.24.2019

    Signed the MoU for the establishment of Cultural Heritage Imaging Unit

    Signed the MoU for the establishment of Cultural Heritage Imaging Unit

    Today was signed the Memorandum of Understanding between Albanian – American Development Foundation (AADF) and the Ministry of Culture for the establishment of Cultural Heritage Imaging Unit in the framework of the project financed by AADF “Expanding access, sharing content- Empowering Museums through technology”.  During the ceremony, the AADF Chairman of the Board Michael Granoff and Minister of Culture Elva Margariti, emphasized the special focus that the digitalization process for cultural heritage and museums should have in terms of research and conservation, promotion and education.

    After a successful first evaluation phase, the second phase of the project is designed to build the digital knowledge foundation and infrastructure through the Cultural Heritage Imaging Unit and will include as well an extended training program for museums professionals and digital documentation of 2 national museum’s collections, The National Museum of Iconography Onufri of Berat and the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korca.

    The Cultural Heritage Imaging Unit will be integrated at South-Eastern European Regional Center for Conservation and Restoration, under Institute of Cultural Monuments, and will help museums nationwide to benefit from the ongoing technological developments, based on the best international practice and expertise, by providing long-term sustainable solution for cultural heritage documentation in Albania.

    Detailed description

  • 10.11.2017

    Expanding access, sharing content: Empowering museums through technology

    Expanding access, sharing content: Empowering museums through technology

    At the premises of the National Historical Museum, were presented the results of the first phase of the project, expanding access, sharing content: Empowering museums through technology. The project considers the digitalization of collections and the implementation of interactive technology in national museums in Albania. This presentation was attended by the Chairman of the AADF Board Mr. Michael Granoff, the Minister of Culture, Mirela Kumbaro, Board Members and Executive Co-Directors of AADF, as well as representatives from both institutions.

    The project aims to preserve and promote the unique value of these museum collections by combining cultural heritage with technology. AADF supports this project phase in the value of $ 60,000 and through the international expertise of Cultural Héritage Imaging. The project is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, National Museum of Iconography ONUFRI, National Museum of Medieval Art, National History Museum and will be developed in 3 phases.

    Throughout these phases AADF will help the evaluation of the museum’s collections, digitize them with advanced technology and implement interactive technology inside the museum in order to enrich the visitor experience and widely promote the unique value of these collections.

    The first phase of the project started implementation in June and has already carried out an intensive work of American experts with museums staff through training sessions, photography sessions of objects from the collections at the National Historical Museum, the National Museum of Iconography ONUFRI and the National Museum of Medieval Art.

    At its final goal, the project will produce interactive platforms and materials to help the research and education programs as well the museum staff by helping them to design and develop contemporary strategies in audience engagement.

    Detailed description

  • 05.19.2017

    Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Culture for museums

    Memorandum of Understanding with Ministry of Culture for museums
    The AADF and the Ministry of Culture signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the project “Empowering museums through technology”. The AADF has committed $ 60,000 for the first phase of the project to be implemented at the National museum of iconography ONUFRI in Berat and the National Museum of Medieval Art in Korca. This phase of the project will be carried out in cooperation with Cultural Heritage Imaging and will open the way for upcoming phases of the project, in order to make the unique collections of these museums accessible in interactive ways.