Reimagining Museum Engagement: Augmented Reality in Contemporary Curatorial Practice

This paper explores the transformative role of augmented reality (AR) in reimagining museum engagement through two case studies: the Pocketbook AR App and Echoes of Newark. Both projects leverage mobile AR to enhance visitor interaction, memory retention, and post-visit reflection. The Pocketbook app enables users to scan and collect artifacts, access contextual information, and curate personalized digital galleries. Echoes of Newark gamifies the museum experience through trivia-based scavenger hunts and animated artworks, fostering curiosity and repeat engagement. Drawing on constructivist learning theory and participatory design, the paper situates these tools within broader trends in digital heritage and curatorial innovation. It also examines their technical implementation using Unity, Vuforia, and AI animation platforms. By comparing their features and educational goals, the paper highlights synergies between the two projects and discusses how they support emerging curatorial practices that blend physical and digital storytelling, expand access, and redefine the museum experience in the 21st century.