Gather
Bring together local files, existing media links, or exported records from your current collection work.
Open Collections
Webcollections are like websites for cultural collections.
The Open Collections Protocol makes it simple to publish and
share cultural collections on the web in an open format
built on plain web standards. No database required.
Host
them anywhere, link them across the web, and keep them
reusable over time.
Collections that behave like websites
Open Collections treats collections as web resources. You can host them on your own infrastructure, publish them with your existing workflows, and keep them readable over time.
- Host collections anywhere on the web
- Link collections across sites and systems
- Reuse collections in tools and platforms
- Keep a portable format based on plain web standards
Start from the files, records, or datasets you already have
Many collections already begin as local folders, public media URLs, exported records from spreadsheets, or broader datasets harvested or imported from existing systems. Open Collections helps you work with those starting points without forcing everything into one complicated workflow from the start.
Not every source body is itself a collection. You can begin with files on disk, records from current systems, or a larger dataset, then select the records, files, and links that belong in a more focused public-facing collection.
From datasets to curated collections
Open Collections helps you work with datasets and turn selected records, files, and links into curated collections. Datasets are broad source bodies; collections are curated selections.
Collections are intentional. Open Collections helps curators and collection teams shape focused collections for browsing, sharing, teaching, research, or storytelling while continuing to add value on top of existing systems and datasets.
Collections can also build on existing records and media over time. The same item may appear in more than one collection, with each collection adding its own context, links, and interpretation. Open Collections supports this broader idea of open and linked collections while keeping each collection clear and purposeful.
Designed for archives, museums, and design libraries
Whether you are working with archival material, object photography, exhibition assets, material libraries, or product collections, Open Collections helps bring files and metadata together in a way that stays understandable for teams and visitors.
Curate collections for real use
Use the Collection Manager to select, shape, and structure a collection. Use the Collection Browser to explore it in a clear visual interface. This helps teams carry out curation work internally and makes it easier to share focused collections online.
Curate
Use Collection Manager to select and structure items, media references, and details so teams can shape collections with confidence.
Browse and share
Open the result in Collection Browser so colleagues and audiences can explore and use the collection.
Explore registered collections
View full registryBrowse recently registered collections to see how organizations are publishing collections on the web.