THE POTENTIAL OF STORYMAPS FOR MUSEUMS

Technology Tuesdays | Val Masters

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This week, I want to introduce you to a digital resource that you can use as an individual or as an institution to tell multimedia stories on the web. StoryMaps, a part of ArcGIS Online, is a platform that is particularly suited for stories that involve a geographic component.

StoryMaps allows you to combine text, images, and custom digital maps, all without touching code. It is a powerful pedagogical tool for museums looking to expand their digital presence.

Who is This Tool For?

StoryMaps is an ideal tool for storytellers who are new to the digital realm, as well as those who are more experienced. It is also a great option for geographic information systems (GIS) users who want a clean and integrated way to present their mapping work.

Institutions such as museums, universities, and public libraries have all used StoryMaps to produce excellent-quality stories. Looking just at the museum sector, StoryMaps presents collections managers, researchers, digital content strategies, educators, and curators with a new way of telling stories and conveying information to colleagues and museum patrons.

What Can I Use It To Do?

StoryMaps has a number of narrative formats that allow you to connect text, images, video, and maps all in one. Aerial imagery of the Mississippi River Delta from NASA. Screenshot and sample map courtesy of the author

StoryMaps is especially suited to telling a multimedia story. If you want to include graphics, text, lists, quotes, links, videos, embedded content, or maps, this is the platform for you. The links below will take you to some examples relevant to museums, but the possibility for storytelling is nearly limitless--and new frontiers await.

You could use StoryMaps to . . .

• Create an interactive digital experience to supplement physical exhibits
• Create an educational resource for a particular group or audience
• Produce digital exhibitions
• Share digitized collections
• Communicate the power of geographic science
• Become a virtual tour guide
• Reveal the journeys of a collector or figure from your museum's history

You could also . . .

• Tell a story about an object's life--where it originated, where it traveled
• Present provenance information to colleagues or visitors
• Provide a suggested path through your museum based on a theme or interest

Stability and Privacy

Any content you upload to ArcGIS Online belongs to you, not the company. You can remove and download your content at any time. If you are using a subscription and the subscription expires, your data will be deleted from the servers after 30 days. You can read the privacy policy here. 

Want to get started?

Test out the capabilities with a free personal account for non-commercial use now! 

For institutional use, a paid subscription will provide increased storage capacity and the ability to share a StoryMap with other account users. It will also unlock several advanced features in StoryMaps. Contact ArcGIS for their discount program for museums and libraries.

I personally love StoryMaps for its vibrant community of storytellers and information visualization nerds. I get inspired looking through new and creative uses of the platform, and I have used it for course assignments, research presentations, and personal projects. Give it a try, and comment your thoughts below!