Museums Find a “Digital Friend” in Russia

Friendship That Cuts Risks and Saves Money

The “Digital Friend for Museums” initiative is part of the foundation’s larger “Museums of the Russian North” program, supported by steelmaker Severstal. Its primary mission is to help regional and municipal museums undergo digital transformation: improving staff competencies, adopting modern tools, expanding audience engagement, and building long-term digital capacity.

The program provides free IT consulting to all state and municipal museums across Russia, regardless of their size or location.

Experts from Severstal-Infocom and Mobius Technologies will act as independent advisors. Their role is to assess each museum’s situation, flag potential risks, recommend hardware and software, draft technical specifications and commercial offers, and guide in choosing contractors.

The project is designed to help museum teams minimize risks when implementing digital projects and save resources in the search for solutions. To apply, museums fill out a dedicated online form  detailing their requests. Applications are open until November 5, 2026, with full participation rules published on the foundation’s website.

With the help of artificial intelligence, our visitors can literally step inside the artwork. The system generates an image where the guest becomes one of the characters. Within our artist residencies, creators are producing works inspired both by the Tretyakov’s collection and by these new technologies. I believe technology will continue to weave deeper into our daily lives

Darya Parfenenko

Deputy Director for Exhibitions at the State Tretyakov Gallery

Balancing Tradition with Progress

Launched by Russia’s Ministry of Culture in 2023, the “Digital Culture” program has accelerated the adoption of online museum services. Within two years, digital tools have become a core part of modern exhibitions. Interactivity is now central to curatorial design.

VR technology enables virtual tours accessible worldwide. Mobile apps serve as digital guides, narrating stories about artworks and museum history. QR codes expand access by linking visitors to additional resources, while AI tools personalize experiences by analyzing audience interests.

These technologies are being adopted not only in major cities but also by smaller regional museums with globally significant collections. Making these treasures more accessible is a key goal.

The impact is tangible: for example, the use of an AR guide for a Boris Kustodiev exhibition at the Tretyakov Gallery boosted attendance among younger audiences by 40%.

Still, many institutions lack in-house IT staff to manage these transitions. That is exactly where “Digital Friend for Museums” steps in.

Russia Strengthens Its Role in Digital Consulting

The project marks a new chapter in the digitalization of culture. By accelerating the rollout of digital services, it helps institutions create virtual tours, build online collections, and establish digital archives faster. It also supports technological sovereignty by reducing dependence on external contractors and improving the quality and accessibility of cultural services.

Over time, the initiative could lead to a unified network of digital museum projects. Such a system would amplify Russia’s influence in global digital culture and solidify its position as a leader in cultural IT consulting.