Telemuseo

Telemuseo, or tele-museum, is a term used to describe a virtual or digital museum that uses telecommunications and information technologies to provide remote access to cultural heritage, collections, and exhibitions. Telemuseos typically offer online catalogs, high‑resolution images, digitized documents, virtual tours, 3D reconstructions, audio and video guides, and educational resources for teachers and students. They may host online exhibitions, interactive maps, and searchable databases, enabling users to explore museums without visiting in person.

The concept arose with the expansion of the Internet and multimedia in the 1990s and has been adopted by national, regional, and local cultural institutions. In Spanish-speaking contexts, telemuseo is commonly used to refer to online platforms and portals that bring museum content to a broader audience, including schools and remote communities. Some telemuseos operate as standalone portals, while others are integrated into larger cultural networks.

Telemuseos aim to democratize access to cultural heritage, support research and education, and preserve digitized collections. They also facilitate cross-cultural exchange and international collaboration. Challenges include the digital divide, copyright and licensing issues, the need for robust metadata and interoperability standards, long-term digital preservation, and ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities.

See also: Virtual museum, Digital heritage, Online museum.