Research on the Living Protection and Innovative Pathways of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Guizhou Folk Museums Empowered by Digital Technologies

Abstract

Against the backdrop of China's Digital China initiative and the national strategy of building a culturally strong country, paradigms of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) preservation are shifting from emergency-oriented static documentation toward systematic living transmission. Guizhou, a region characterized by rich multi-ethnic cultural resources, houses numerous folk museums that serve as important carriers of cultural memory. However, conventional object-centered exhibition practices remain insufficient to address the living, processual, and spatiotemporally dynamic nature of ICH. This study examines the application of digital technologies in the protection of ICH within Guizhou folk museums. Through theoretical analysis, technological review, and comparative case studies, it proposes a tripartite living protection mechanism integrating technology, context, and human participation. The paper analyzes Guizhou's structural advantages in policy support, cultural resources, and digital infrastructure, and explicates the internal mechanisms of 3D scanning, virtual reality (VR), and AI-generated content (AIGC) in the deconstruction, reconstruction, and dissemination of ICH. Based on national best practices, it further proposes innovative pathways, including the construction of digital ICH corridors, the development of industry-education integrated curricula, and the alignment with local cultural IPs. Finally, the study addresses challenges such as technological alienation, cultural security, and the digital divide, and suggests evaluation and safeguard mechanisms. This research provides both theoretical insights and practical guidance for the digital transformation of local museums and the enhancement of regional cultural soft power.