Podcast: Future-proof the past – tech’s role in preserving culture

Jervais Choo, at Singapore's National Heritage Board, focuses on digital innovation in heritage experiences. Leading the DigiMuse program since 2017, he integrates advanced technology, such as AI chatbots and virtual environments, to enhance museum visits. This initiative marks a significant step in modernising cultural engagement.

Since 2017, his contributions have extended to directing Singapore's Night and Heritage Festivals and playing a key role at the National Museum, all aimed at bridging the gap between tradition and futuristic innovation, redefining how the public interacts with heritage.

The discussion includes practical advice for integrating tech into museums, understanding digital innovation's role, the necessity of experimentation, and future directions in museum technology.

Discussion Points

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About For Arts Sake

For Arts' Sake is a UK-based interview podcast with leading museum professionals across the world. Founded and produced by professionals in the museum and cultural sector, For Arts' Sake aims to help listeners discover what museums are for, what people who work there really do, and the difference museums can make in our lives through their projects and initiatives.

“There are many podcasts on artists and museum collections, but very few that focus on people behind museum jobs,” says founder Alina Boyko. “We also aim to keep it conversational and listener-friendly, to appeal to regular as well as specialised audiences.”

With six seasons and 33 episodes under its belt, For Arts' Sake has explored contemporary issues in the museum industry, featuring speakers from local and international institutions like the British Museum, Historic Royal Palaces, Arts Council England, V&A, National Trust, Smithsonian, and Odesa Fine Arts Museum. It also serves as a platform for diverse voices within the museum field, inviting both seasoned and emerging professionals to share their insights through guest blogging and season co-curation.

Season seven, which launched on February 23, 2024, marked a special collaboration with CUHK's cultural management faculty members, Benny Lim and Yongwoo Lee, who took on the role of co-curators. This season spotlights museum and heritage professionals from East and Southeast Asia. This season features conversations with Jervais Choo from the National Heritage Board, Singapore, Meggy Cheng from M+ Museum, Hong Kong, Leeji Hong from MMCA Seoul, South Korea, Dar-kuen Wu from C-Lab, Taiwan, and Josh Yiu from the CUHK Art Museum.

Interviewers, For Arts Sake

Alina is the co-founder and co-host of the For Arts' Sake podcast. She also helped establish Art Night, now the UK's biennial contemporary art festival. Before this, Alina spent five years at Christie’s and Sotheby’s, working in the Russian and Impressionist & Modern Art departments.

She holds BA in History of Art and MA in Museums and Galleries in Education from UCL, along with an MLitt in History of Art from Christie’s Education, affiliated with Glasgow University.

She wants to help create positive change in society through culture.

Contact: alina@forartsake.co.uk

Sabila Duhita Drijono, Project development and Partnership Coordinator, Co-host, For Arts Sake

Sabila is an independent researcher, writer, and creative producer. She completed her MA in Museums and Galleries in Education at UCL, supported by the LPDP scholarship from the Indonesian government. As a professional, she has been involved in various cultural projects across Indonesia, including with the historic art collection of the Presidential Palaces of Indonesia, Tenganan Pegringsingan Village in Bali, and the Department of Archaeology at the University of Indonesia.

A firm believer in culture as a catalyst for development, Sabila is passionate about blending academic and creative approaches in her work. She is committed to making museum knowledge accessible and building cross-border collaborations within the cultural sector. At For Arts’ Sake, Sabila takes on an active role in content development, promotion, and strategising partnerships with potential speakers and collaborators.

Contact: sabila@forartsake.co.uk