18 Months of Open Access at RAMM

Since February 2024 RAMM has been releasing batches of images open access and 3D models on RAMM’s online collections database, ‘Collections Explorer’, Wikimedia Commons and SketchFab. In total, 18 batches of images were released themed around artists, exhibitions, holidays and locations. 10 3D models were released of 3D objects including a Georgian gentleman’s suit, a beaver skull and a terracotta figure of Harpocrates. RAMM staff have been collecting data on the wider impact of the strategy to find out more about how going open access has affected RAMM and to inform future open access strategies.

This data collection includes news reporting, emails from interested parties, website analytics on the open access launch, how the images are used on Wikimedia sites, SketchFab and elsewhere, and the identified benefits of open access to RAMM and the wider heritage sector. Data was collected through Wikimedia’s GLAMorgan tool, Google Analytics, Google reverse image searching, social media analytics and feedback from RAMM audiences, users and other members of the public. This report focuses on data collected between February 2024 to August 2025.

The main findings over this 18-month period include:

• A 85% increase in website visits to RAMM’s website around the time of the open access announcement;

• A total of 12,880,510 Wikipedia page views of articles containing RAMM images; RAMM images featured across 32 different Wikipedia languages, including English, Portuguese, Slovak, Urdu and Korean;

• A total of 529 downloads of RAMMs open access 3D models from SketchFab;

• A further 11 local cultural heritage organisations uploading works open access in collaboration with RAMM.