The Arc/k Project, a Los Angeles based 501(c)3, is dedicated to digitally preserving the world’s cultural heritage through teaching accessible 3D digital documentation methods, empowering people and institutions to archive and experience their heritage in powerful new ways.

The Arc/k Project supports museums and cultural organizations with consultations, training and digital services of high-quality documentation of their collections and heritage assets.

We help museums and cultural institutions:

• Digitally revitalize and enhance art collections and exhibitions
• Optimize displays and tours
• Develop experiences in augmented reality and virtual reality
• Enhance advocacy and educational programs

3D digital archives can provide access to additional collections not on display, be used in Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality as an adjunct to exhibits and tours, providing immersive environments or even, on the opposite end of the end of the experiential spectrum, tactile/multi-sensory exhibitions allowing visitors to engage with objects and ideas, enriching and deepening the visitors’ experiences. They can explore the art in 3D, learn its dynamic history, and discover new connections.

The COVID-19 crisis has reinforced the need for accessible and educational online engagement. While many museums have been closed, our partners have continued engaging audiences online with the help of our 3D models and digital collections. Read more >>

• Photogrammetry
• Post processing techniques to derive 3D models
• Crowdsourced photogrammetry
• Drone
• LiDAR
• Photogrammetry and LiDAR combination
• Augmented Reality
• Virtual Reality
• Social Virtual Reality

Learn more about our technology.

Museums in Venezuela:

• The Colonial Art Museum of Caracas at Quinta de Anauco
• The National Gallery
• The Contemporary Art Museum of Zulia in Maracaibo

The U.S. Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Washington

• Rare historical objects and artifacts from their collections

Kamloops Heritage Railway Association in Kamloops, Canada

• 2141 Steam Locomotive

Science Gallery Venice in Italy

• Partnered with Science Gallery Venice for an Augmented Reality project based on the Severan Arch at Palmyra, Syria for their NETCHER exhibition

NETCHER Exhibition for Web and Augmented Reality

• Ca’Foscari University of Venice in partnership with the Italian Institute of Technology (Center for Cultural Heritage Technology) and Science Gallery Venice curated a NETCHER (Network and social platform for Cultural Heritage Enhancing and Rebuilding) project digital exhibition, which highlights digital re-creations bringing back cultural heritage lost to war and geopolitical conflict. We provided our digital Severan Arch at Palmyra, which was destroyed by ISIS in 2015. In the web object and AR effect on Instagram, visitors can gain a small glimpse into the scale and grandeur of this piece of ancient architecture, as well as see how it was reconstructed from hundreds of photographs taken from dozens of positions around the arch. Palmyra Arch — Netcher Exhibition

2021 NETCHER Final Forum

• Invited to share our digital Roman Theater at Palmyra as a green screen background for the keynote speaker’s address in the 2021 NETCHER online conference final forum. The event shared results & recommendations in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property. Learn more >>

EXPLORE THE ARC/K PROJECT’S MUSEUMS COLLECTION here.

Arc/k helped facilitate educational workshops and offered online teaching sessions. The Cultural Heritage of Venezuela Archival Collection has grown to over 200 objects from museum collections and monuments at risk.

Commissioned Painting from the National Gallery in Venezuela
The Miranda en La Carraca is considered one of the most important artworks in all of Venezuela. We were honored to work with photographers at the National Gallery museum to train them on the skills to document this piece in detail (including the front and back). See link to 3D model here

Arc/k helped facilitate educational workshops and offered online teaching sessions. The Cultural Heritage of Venezuela Archival Collection has grown to over 200 objects from museum collections and monuments at risk.

Commissioned Painting from the National Gallery in Venezuela
The Miranda en La Carraca is considered one of the most important artworks in all of Venezuela. We were honored to work with photographers at the National Gallery museum to train them on the skills to document this piece in detail (including the front and back). See link to 3D model here

Arc/k helped facilitate educational workshops and offered online teaching sessions. The Cultural Heritage of Venezuela Archival Collection has grown to over 200 objects from museum collections and monuments at risk.

Commissioned Painting from the National Gallery in Venezuela
The Miranda en La Carraca is considered one of the most important artworks in all of Venezuela. We were honored to work with photographers at the National Gallery museum to train them on the skills to document this piece in detail (including the front and back). See link to 3D model here

While their museum was closed due to COVID-19, the Colonial Art Museum of Caracas at Quinta de Anauco created a beautiful, online educational campaign ‘Artworks of the Collection’ / ‘Obras de la Colleción’ with images from our 3D models. Explore the 3D models in the collection here.

The Arc/k Project worked with cultural institutions, photographers, and universities across six cities in Venezuela — teaching photogrammetry to over seventy people. The digital archival collection has grown to over 220 objects from museum collections and monuments at risk.

Learn more about our work in Venezuela.

The Arc/k Project has digitized objects from their comprehensive collection, derived 3D models for online interactivity, and 3D printed artifacts for hands-on engagement.

The United States Naval Undersea Museum is the only official Navy museum that interprets all of the Navy’s undersea activities. Based in Keyport, Washington, the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum is one of ten museums operated by the U.S. Navy under the direction of the Naval History and Heritage Command. They hold the country’s most comprehensive collection of U.S. Navy artifacts, documents, and reference material related to undersea subjects, and are renowned for several of these specialty collections, especially those in torpedoes, mines, diving and salvage, submarine technology, and undersea vehicles. Several of these significant artifacts are on display in the museum’s 18,000 square feet exhibition hall, designed to connect visitors to the history of the underwater Navy.

Krista of the Arc/k Project setting up the photogrammetry shoot of the JIM suit, an atmospheric diving suit in the collection of the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum

On two occasions, we have had the opportunity to support the museum by digitally archiving highly significant artifacts in the museum’s collection.

The museum’s mission and vision emphasize the unique experiences of the Navy’s undersea communities. We are in alignment with the museum’s ongoing efforts to share stories of exceptional people and cutting-edge technology with veterans, active-duty sailors, and a national audience. Often, the museum’s collections and exhibits are a route for veterans and sailors to share their experiences with their families. And for visitors from the general public, the exhibitions offer opportunities to discuss and reflect on complex or complicated subjects, often using the lens of history to understand how similar issues have been handled in the past. Arc/k’s digitization of several museum artifacts provides a new way for the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum to engage in-person visitors and a virtual audience, offering improved interactivity and access to artifacts.

The Arc/k Project has digitized objects from their comprehensive collection, derived 3D models for online interactivity, and 3D printed artifacts for hands-on engagement.

The United States Naval Undersea Museum is the only official Navy museum that interprets all of the Navy’s undersea activities. Based in Keyport, Washington, the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum is one of ten museums operated by the U.S. Navy under the direction of the Naval History and Heritage Command. They hold the country’s most comprehensive collection of U.S. Navy artifacts, documents, and reference material related to undersea subjects, and are renowned for several of these specialty collections, especially those in torpedoes, mines, diving and salvage, submarine technology, and undersea vehicles. Several of these significant artifacts are on display in the museum’s 18,000 square feet exhibition hall, designed to connect visitors to the history of the underwater Navy.

Krista of the Arc/k Project setting up the photogrammetry shoot of the JIM suit, an atmospheric diving suit in the collection of the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum

On two occasions, we have had the opportunity to support the museum by digitally archiving highly significant artifacts in the museum’s collection.

The museum’s mission and vision emphasize the unique experiences of the Navy’s undersea communities. We are in alignment with the museum’s ongoing efforts to share stories of exceptional people and cutting-edge technology with veterans, active-duty sailors, and a national audience. Often, the museum’s collections and exhibits are a route for veterans and sailors to share their experiences with their families. And for visitors from the general public, the exhibitions offer opportunities to discuss and reflect on complex or complicated subjects, often using the lens of history to understand how similar issues have been handled in the past. Arc/k’s digitization of several museum artifacts provides a new way for the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum to engage in-person visitors and a virtual audience, offering improved interactivity and access to artifacts.

Named for test diver Jim Jarrett, the JIM suit was the first modern-day commercial atmospheric diving suit. See the 3D model here.

Brian Pope of The Arc/k Project photographing a horological mine from the Civil War. This is one of only two horological mines known to exist today!

With Arc/k Project’s recent completion of digitizing the Control Room Equipment and Consoles from Nuclear-Powered Submersible NR-1, the museum can offer interactive access to this one-of-a-kind artifact.

“During the pandemic, virtual content took on greater importance than ever before,” noted museum Curator Mary Ryan. “Sharing content online is the primary way we engaged with our audience and carried out our mission while the museum was closed. We are delighted to continue expanding our online offerings through our collaboration with The Arc/k Project. NR-1’s control room equipment is one of the most significant artifacts in our collection, and the only example in the world. Capturing it as a digital model offers incredible access to such an important piece of Navy history.”

Explore the United States Naval Undersea Museum Collection here.

Brian Pope of The Arc/k Project photographing a horological mine from the Civil War. This is one of only two horological mines known to exist today!

With Arc/k Project’s recent completion of digitizing the Control Room Equipment and Consoles from Nuclear-Powered Submersible NR-1, the museum can offer interactive access to this one-of-a-kind artifact.

“During the pandemic, virtual content took on greater importance than ever before,” noted museum Curator Mary Ryan. “Sharing content online is the primary way we engaged with our audience and carried out our mission while the museum was closed. We are delighted to continue expanding our online offerings through our collaboration with The Arc/k Project. NR-1’s control room equipment is one of the most significant artifacts in our collection, and the only example in the world. Capturing it as a digital model offers incredible access to such an important piece of Navy history.”

Explore the United States Naval Undersea Museum Collection here.

Arc/k worked with the Kamloops Heritage Railway, a nonprofit heritage organization devoted to preserving a 19th century steam locomotive, the 2141 train in Kamloops, Canada. Arc/k created a 3D model of the train, which makes the popular prop into a digital asset available to sell to film and TV productions. This opportunity enables them to recoup some revenue lost by their inability to take the train on the main tracks, due to a change in Canada Rail’s policy over safety and reliability concerns.

Arc/k also created a Virtual Reality (VR) experience of the train for advocacy and education. The VR experience travelled to libraries, where it was offered to young students, who enjoyed learning about the history and the mechanics of this historic train.

See link to the 3D model, which was created from over 15,000 photos.

During the COVID-19 crisis in April 2020, Kamloops Heritage Railway shared the 3D model of the 2141 train on their Facebook page

It is Arc/k’s hope that projects like these will allow the digital to supplement the cost of the physical (maintenance and operations), while additionally allowing for a detailed archive of the train in the process for posterity.

Arc/k worked with the Kamloops Heritage Railway, a nonprofit heritage organization devoted to preserving a 19th century steam locomotive, the 2141 train in Kamloops, Canada. Arc/k created a 3D model of the train, which makes the popular prop into a digital asset available to sell to film and TV productions. This opportunity enables them to recoup some revenue lost by their inability to take the train on the main tracks, due to a change in Canada Rail’s policy over safety and reliability concerns.

During the COVID-19 crisis in April 2020, Kamloops Heritage Railway shared the 3D model of the 2141 train on their Facebook page

It is Arc/k’s hope that projects like these will allow the digital to supplement the cost of the physical (maintenance and operations), while additionally allowing for a detailed archive of the train in the process for posterity.

An Arc/k Project Catalog Record

The proper archiving of digital data is paramount too. The Arc/k Project can assist with consultation on the organization and use of content management systems (CMS), cataloging standards, digital preservation strategies, and best practices from Arc/k’s digital archivist. Each digital preservation project is different and through consultation, we can help achieve a customized pipeline within your organization as a basis for a long-term, sustainable 3D capture and preservation initiative.

The Arc/k Project agrees to maintain a collaborative partnership with the Museum regarding the usage of digital materials presented by the Museum for digitization and/or preservation. See our policies at Arc/kivist’s Corner. We customize each project in service of each museum’s goals with services and training.

The Arc/k Project aims to move the field forward with creative approaches to using technology which facilitate access, expand resources, and/or increase archiving productivity.

The proper archiving of digital data is paramount too. The Arc/k Project can assist with consultation on the organization and use of content management systems (CMS), cataloging standards, digital preservation strategies, and best practices from Arc/k’s digital archivist. Each digital preservation project is different and through consultation, we can help achieve a customized pipeline within your organization as a basis for a long-term, sustainable 3D capture and preservation initiative.

An Arc/k Project Catalog Record

The Arc/k Project agrees to maintain a collaborative partnership with the Museum regarding the usage of digital materials presented by the Museum for digitization and/or preservation. See our policies at Arc/kivist’s Corner. We customize each project in service of each museum’s goals with services and training.

The Arc/k Project aims to move the field forward with creative approaches to using technology which facilitate access, expand resources, and/or increase archiving productivity.

The proper archiving of digital data is paramount too. The Arc/k Project can assist with consultation on the organization and use of content management systems (CMS), cataloging standards, digital preservation strategies, and best practices from Arc/k’s digital archivist. Each digital preservation project is different and through consultation, we can help achieve a customized pipeline within your organization as a basis for a long-term, sustainable 3D capture and preservation initiative.

An Arc/k Project Catalog Record

The Arc/k Project agrees to maintain a collaborative partnership with the Museum regarding the usage of digital materials presented by the Museum for digitization and/or preservation. See our policies at Arc/kivist’s Corner. We customize each project in service of each museum’s goals with services and training.

The Arc/k Project aims to move the field forward with creative approaches to using technology which facilitate access, expand resources, and/or increase archiving productivity.

Museums are beginning only now to emerge from the worst existential crisis in generations and we believe digital engagements will not only be key moving forward, but the bridge that brings visitors back into the physical space.

We customize each creative project and consultation based on our partner’s goals and budget.

For our projects, we partner with nonprofits, universities, institutions and government agencies to combine and expand resources. We work to identify and pursue grant opportunities to support digital heritage projects which include funding sources from sciences, technology and the humanities. Other funding sources may come from tourism, sponsors and individual donations. Costs are dependent on each community and project’s needs and goals and based on the scope of work – equipment, labor, post-processing time. In addition to our digitization services, we offer services in consulting, training and archival guidance. We believe in transparency. As we are a non-profit organization, we keep our services at cost plus 15%.

Our vision is for everyone to embrace these technologies to enhance their work. We’re mindful of the shifting landscape of tools and outdated hardware and software, so we try our best to advise our partners to consider effective short term and long term investments. The main goal is to always be capturing the data.

Contact us: [email protected]