In progress

The dansMuseum: a collaborative and evolving project 

The dansMuseum is a project that is continuously evolving. This means that, in some cases, the information provided is incomplete and may not (yet) accurately represent a particular event. In such cases, we encourage amendments, contributions, as well as debate and discussion. It is through the collaborative exchange of ideas, information and knowledge that we can best contribute to the discourse on dance and choreography in the Netherlands.  

Amendments can be addressed to dansMuseum@nederlandsedandsdagen.nl 

Advancing the archive with a collection management system

To improve the archive, we are transitioning to the Omeka S collection management system, which is already used by several institutions in the heritage and performing arts sectors. This system aligns with the National Digital Heritage Strategy and Podiumkunst.net guidelines to make digital heritage accessible to all. It also enables us to connect our data with established archives such as the Allard Pierson Theatercollectie through linked open data. Additionally, we aim to publish our collection of data in the datasetregister, which provides insight into the availability of datasets in the Dutch heritage field and encourages its use.   

With support from the NDE Versnellen scheme and Podiumkunst.net in late 2024, we began implementing Omeka S. We started with collecting and describing the festival edition of 2023. By the start of this year’s Summer, we aim to have the metadata and media of 2023 fully integrated into the system. 

A new interface & future steps 

We are collaborating with creative consultancy Zuiderlicht to design an improved archive interface of the dansMuseum website. In addition to chronological browsing, our aim is to make the archive more accessible and engaging. The next enhancements to the interface will feature a search engine, filtering options and thematic navigation. 

This page will serve as a hub for updates on our progress, insights and challenges throughout this project. By sharing our experiences, we hope to inspire and support other institutions in the dance and performing arts sector. Stay tuned!