Digital Humanities at the National Arts Foundation

The Role of AtoM

Abstract

This article analyzes the integration between Archival Science and Digital Humanities through the case of the Documentation Center of the Brazilian National Arts Foundation (CEDOC/Funarte) and its implementation of the open-source platform AtoM (Access to Memory). Using a qualitative and exploratory approach, the study investigates how AtoM enhances the description, preservation, access, and dissemination of cultural and artistic archival collections. By adopting international archival standards (ISAD(G) and ISAAR(CPF)) and developing curated digital exhibitions, the project elevated user engagement and democratized access to archival knowledge. The article emphasizes the role of archives as cultural mediators and instruments of citizenship, moving beyond their traditional technical function. By combining archival principles with digital curatorial practices and accessibility strategies, the initiative highlights the archive’s potential as a “site of memory,” reinforcing its social function. The study underlines that the use of open technologies—when guided by critical, inclusive, and interdisciplinary perspectives—can expand archival outreach and support the construction of a more plural and democratic memory landscape. This experience serves as an example of how Digital Humanities can revitalize archival practices and foster cultural recognition by preserving and disseminating Brazil’s documentary heritage.