A FRAMEWORK FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF REGIONAL MUSEUMS: DEVELOPING A TRANSFORMATIONAL CONCEPT FOR THE SAMARKAND REGIONAL STUDIES MUSEUM BASED ON INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES

Abstract

Introduction

Regional museums play a critical role in preserving cultural memory, shaping local identity, and supporting socio-economic development. In the 21st century, however, museums are no longer static repositories of artifacts; they function as dynamic cultural platforms, educational institutions, and drivers of regional development. According to the International Council of Museums (ICOM), a contemporary museum is “a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society… open to the public, accessible and inclusive” (ICOM, 2022). This expanded definition underscores the necessity of structural, technological, and conceptual modernization.

In Uzbekistan, regional museums face challenges including outdated exhibition formats, limited digital integration, insufficient visitor engagement strategies, and underdeveloped marketing models. The Samarkand Regional Studies Museum, located in a historically and culturally significant region along the Silk Road, possesses exceptional potential to become a model institution in Central Asia. Yet its transformation requires a systematic framework grounded in international museum studies, heritage management, digital innovation, and participatory governance.