Tranforming the textile collection of the high agricultural institute into an online exhibition

Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture became one of the foremost academic institutions specializing in traditional handicraft education in Turkey. Founded in 1933 as the Agricultural College, it joined Ankara University in 1946. The Institute consisted of four faculties, including Natural Sciences, Agriculture, Veterinary and Agricultural Arts. Many textile artefacts from across Turkey were brought to the Institute from various regions of Turkey to be used as course materials during the 1930s, resulting in the first academic studies on raw materials, textures, contents and forms. The Institute's written academic documents became sources of handicraft research while the textiles used during the courses have since acquired ethnographic artefact status. Many universities have textile collections in Turkey and abroad and the objects in their collections are theme-oriented, dynamic, simple and understandable practices. Nowadays, classifying the objects according to the contents of the collection, transferring the label information and object visuals to web-based platforms are important for the public accessibility. Digitalized objects are transformed into online exhibitions in line with various themes. Within the scope of these exhibitions, videos, live broadcasts, and virtual trips related to the themes are prepared and educational activities are prepared by linking themes with the curriculum. In short, web-based platforms have become forums where information is shared with multiple sources, rather than being the environments where the object and information are protected. The ethnographic products and textiles belonging to the period of the High Institute of Agriculture were digitized and transferred to the web portal. Thus, textile collection of The Higher Institute of Agriculture is intended to be presented to many audiences.