Unlocking the Collection
An Open API for Everyone
The museum collects and manages a great deal of information related to its workings and programming. A big part of this is related to the collection and archive, but it also includes information about exhibitions, creators featured in the collection and the terminology used to describe objects. To structure this rich resource of information or data and to also make it publicly accessible for a variety of purposes and applications, we have made it our mission to develop the necessary APIs that enable digital re-use.
What is an API?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a technology that allows computers to automatically exchange data. As a result, APIs are behind much of the software we use every day, from the apps on our phones to the series we consume via streaming platforms.
Museums are increasingly using APIs to make their rich digital collections accessible and encourage re-use. As such, Design Museum Gent's API allows developers, among others, to integrate our collection and its public data into their own applications and services.
Why have an API?
Digital Culture: Since 2024 Design Museum Ghent’s program actively seeks out forms of design that intersect with digital culture. In order to power these projects, we are developing APIs so that designers working on commissions can get to work with our digitized material.
Stimulate Creative Re-Use: Creative re-use can take many different forms, including digital ways. We are working together with educational trainings and NGOs in Ghent to maximize the potential of the digitized collection.
Access to the Collection: As the museum reopens, we will introduce our long-awaited collection catalog. To stock it with all our objects, the API will be used by the web developers.
Exchangeability: Exchanging knowledge and information is an important task and function of the museum. APIs help in this because they use international standards and data profiles. This increases the semantic interoperability and exchangeability of the knowledge and information we safeguard.
What will you find in our APIs?
The museum manages and develops a growing selection of APIs. Each of these APIs has a specific purpose, and through its diversity the museum hopes to make their use easier.
Below is a brief overview of what you can except to find in our APIs.
- 7541 Digitized Collection Pieces
- 518 Exhibitions (with links displayed collection pieces)
- 3842 Agents (such as artists and curators)
- 5468 Concepts (themes and categories within the collection)
This information is retrievable both at the record level and at the collection level (e.g. all exhibitions).
Want to get started? Dive into our API documentation and discover how you can use the data for research, education or creative applications!
Related Projects
Glossary
API
An API is a type of software interface that allows different software systems to communicate with each other to exchange data, features and functionality.
API Documentation
An API documentation is a technical guide that explains how to use and integrate an API. It includes details about available functions, data structures, request formats, response types, and usage examples to help developers interact with the API efficiently.
Algorithm
An algorithm is a set of instructions a computer follows to process data and perform tasks.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy.
Computer Vision
Computer vision is a field of AI that enables computers to interpret and analyze visual information from images or videos. It allows machines to recognize patterns, detect objects, and extract meaningful insights from visual data.
Diffusion Model
A diffusion model is an advanced algorithm that creates data, such as images or text, by removing random noise step by step, mimicking the natural process in which elements diffuse gradually and harmoniously.
Record
A record is a structured unit of data that groups related information under a single identifier. Each record consists of multiple fields, which store specific attributes of the data. In a collection database, a record might represent an object, an exhibition, or a creator.
Semantic Interoperability
Semantic interoperability ensures that the precise format and meaning of exchanged data and information is preserved and understood between computer systems or applications.