Museums in Tampa: Sustainability and Community Bonds

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Küçük Ö.

Museums in Tampa: Sustainability and Community Bonds, cilt.7, sa.2, ss.152-170, 2026 (Hakemli Dergi)

Özet

This study investigates the relationship between sustainability, digital transformation, and community engagement in selected museums in Tampa, Florida. The research was conducted during the author's one-year appointment as a Visiting Scholar at the University of South Florida (USF), utilizing field-based observations and engagement with the local museum context. Four museums were chosen as focal points: the Tampa Museum of Art, the Henry B. Plant Museum, the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), and the Tampa Bay History Center. Employing a qualitative case study approach supported by a literature review, semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and document analysis, the study explores how these museums are adapting to changing visitor expectations and the necessity for stronger, sustained community connections. The findings indicate that digital technologies, immersive experiences, social programming, and community-oriented practices significantly enhance museums' ability to engage younger audiences and foster broader forms of social and cultural value. The study posits that museums are increasingly evolving beyond their traditional custodial roles into more interactive, socially connected, and community-based institutions. Based on the insights from the Tampa cases, an integrated framework is proposed that unites environmental responsibility, community engagement, digital transformation, academic collaboration, and local creativity. Given the qualitative nature of this study and the limited number of cases examined, the findings should be interpreted contextually rather than as universally applicable conclusions.This study examines the relationship between sustainability, digital transformation, and community engagement in selected museums in Tampa, Florida. The research was conducted during the author’s one-year Visiting Scholar appointment at the University of South Florida (USF), where the study was developed through field-based observations and engagement with the local museum context. Four museums were examined as focal cases: the Tampa Museum of Art, the Henry B. Plant Museum, the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI), and the Tampa Bay History Center. Using a qualitative case study approach supported by a literature review, semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and document analysis, the study explores how museums are responding to changing visitor expectations and the need for stronger and more sustained community connections. The findings indicate that digital technologies, immersive experiences, social programming, and community-oriented practices can contribute to museums’ capacity to engage younger audiences and create broader forms of social and cultural value. The study argues that museums are increasingly moving beyond their traditional custodial roles toward more interactive, socially connected, and community-based institutions. Based on the Tampa cases, an integrated framework is proposed that brings together environmental responsibility, community engagement, digital transformation, academic collaboration, and local creativity. Given the qualitative design and limited number of cases, the findings should be interpreted contextually rather than as universally generalizable conclusions.