From 2017 to 2019, VRVis was research partner and coordinator of the ambitious and in its kind unique Horizon2020 project ARCHES - Accessible Resources for Cultural Heritage EcoSystems. In this participatory research project, funded by the European Union, twelve institutions from the fields of art, technology and science joined forces to develop solutions based on key enabling technologies for the barrier-free museum of the future. The participation of around 200 people with visual, auditive and cognitive impairments, who were actively involved in the research process through participatory workshops, was particularly important, and at the heart of the project.This has resulted in a number of innovative solutions that use technology to make inclusive art education a reality for all target groups. From the tactile reliefs and the interactive multimedia guide that complements them, both developed at VRVis, to a museum app and games and a museum handbook for barrier-free art education, all research results are already being used in museums throughout Europe. In addition, the project and its innovative results have received several awards in recent months.
Every year, the business prize eAward from the Report Verlag honors the best IT projects from Austria. The jury particularly emphasized the importance of Europe as a continent of culture, to which ARCHES makes an important contribution in the area of barrier-free access, as well as the great appeal of the solutions developed in the research project. More info.
During the annual Zero Project Conference, which focuses on the rights of people with disabilities worldwide, VRVis was awarded the Zero Project Award 2020 together with the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien. More info.
For more than three decades, the International Institute for Information Design (IIID) has presented the IIIDaward to the world's best works in the field of information design. In the category "Social Affairs" ARCHES received a "Bronze Award" and was named "Darling Project" by jury member Kyoto Kaneda. More info.
This year, for the second time, the European Commission presents the Horizon Impact Award to EU-funded projects whose research results have a particularly high social benefit. ARCHES made it on the shortlist. More info.
The World Summit Award is a unique ecosystem that selects and promotes local and digital innovations that have a large and positive impact on society and the environment. In the "Inclusion" category, ARCHES convinced the 15-member jury of experts as an outstanding Austrian project in the ICT sector and is therefore in the running for the global World Summit Award. More info.
Heritage in Motion Award 2020
The Heritage in Motion Award aims to distinguish the best european projects, which find new digital and multimedia ways to present and enhance the european cultural heritage. In the category "Apps and Interactive," the ARCHES project was awarded as the best project of the year. More info.
Almost 400 projects from over 75 countries participated in the pre-selection of the World Summit Award. ARCHES made it onto the shortlist in the "Inclusion & Empowerment" category. Now, the international WSA Grand Jury will decide on the 40 winners by the end of the year. The award honours digital best-practice solutions with a significant social impact. More info.