When I joined the Science and Media Museum team this summer as a Marketing and Comms Intern, I wasn’t quite sure what my main project would be. So, when I was told that I’d be working on a TikTok project for the museum, I was super excited. Short-form content is something I genuinely love creating and the chance to bring that to the museum is the perfect match.
You might be wondering to yourself, why TikTok? Or better yet, what is TikTok? TikTok has become more than just a place for trends and entertainment. It’s now a space for learning, storytelling and cultural connection. From #museumtok to #learnontiktok, museums and galleries have started using the platform to highlight their spaces and collections in creative and authentic ways.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been researching how other museums and cultural institutions have been using TikTok, identifying trends and brainstorming ways that we can bring our own unique voice to the app. I’ve got ideas to develop a series of content pillars, from ‘day in the life’-style videos to educational moments and sneak peeks behind the scenes.
One thing that’s stood out to me is how much potential there is to feature real people—staff, volunteers, even visitors. TikTok works best when it feels very human and I love how museums have been able to reflect the energy of their spaces through the people who power them. An example of this is the Royal Armouries, who went viral after Senior Curator Mark Murray-Flutter began delivering history tours in full Gen-Z slang, calling Henry VIII “the original rizzler” and praising dioramas as “lit”. The playful content not only earned them a spot on TikTok’s “best of 2024” list, but also boosted visitor numbers by over 60% above pre-pandemic levels, proving how humour and authenticity can turn online engagement into real-world footfall.
So what’s next? Over the next coming weeks, I’ll be testing content, gathering feedback and pulling everything together. My work may become a TikTok Toolkit full of information and tips that will be useful for the museum beyond my internship.
Being assigned this project has been such a rewarding experience. It’s pushed me creatively and has also given me the chance to work on something that really aligns with my strengths. Hopefully, you’ll see the Science and Media Museum on your For You page very soon!