Statistics on the test of the first prototype
In the period from the launch of the first prototype on May 3, 2023 to November 2024, we had 498 user contacts with a total of 68 hours of testing. We were able to speak to users from all age groups.
Age of the users
The largest group was made up of 17 – 40 year olds with 177 people, 54 people were over 60, followed by 53 people aged 40 – 60 and 39 people up to the age of 17. The age categories are so broad because it was not possible to record all users with a specific age and it was therefore necessary to work with estimates or inferences from other statements in the conversations. Due to very high user numbers on special occasions in 2023, such as the launch, International Museum Day and Open Monument Day, the age composition of 172 people could only be recorded as an overall impression. Here too, all age groups were represented, although the proportion of families and young adults was higher than at other events, a result of this type of event.
Type of public events
All appointments were offered at no extra charge, so most of them were free of charge. Before the Virtual Kunsthalle found its place in our lobby and when it had to leave it temporarily due to exhibitions, it was located in the mediation room in the exhibition rooms. The normal admission price was therefore charged for 5 dates. 23 events with 451 user contacts took place in the museum itself, of which all but three were “Glasses on and then …? – Dates were without registration. 4 events with 47 participants took place at other locations. The 8 Glasses on and then …? – workshops were more intensive than the Let’s get real sessions with a maximum of 10 people for 1-1.5 hours. During these events more detailed feedback and suggestions for changes were obtained. These meetings were accepted more hesitantly than the more non-binding Let’s get real appointments. Four project presentations provided an opportunity for professional exchange on the Virtuelle Kunsthalle project. These were 2 dates with a total of 50 volunteers from various museums and 2 dates as part of university seminars at Bielefeld University and HHU Düsseldorf with a total of 29 participants from various art/culture-related degree programs.
At these meetings, we asked the users what they would improve about our prototype and what they liked. We have summarized the main findings from the interviews here.
Participative work
Since March 2024, we have been holding co-creative meetings with interested parties that we met at our ‘Let’s get real’ events. Every 1-2 months, we work with 7 people for 2 hours in the museum on new ideas and further develop existing ones. By the end of 2024, 14 hours of work had been completed in 7 meetings.
From the beginning of September 2024 until the end of January 2025, we will be cooperating with the Hans Ehrenberg School. After the class visited the museum, Nadine Kleinken continued to work on the Virtuelle Kunsthalle with the 27 pupils from a 10th class at the school. With one double lesson a week and minus the school days off, that’s 12 appointments and 18 hours.