Virtual representations are described with a Metadata Schema, which is a metadata element set that adopts international metadata standards (e.g. SPECTRUM, DC) using the concept of Application Profiles. The Metadata Schema describes the ARCO data model from digitisation of a museum artefact, and associated Media Objects, all the way through to visualisation of the artefact in a Virtual or Augmented Reality Environment.

Key objectives of the Metadata Schema are to:

• Describe the ARCO data Model
• Describe the processes an ARCO user goes through in order to create multimedia content for virtual exhibitions
• Serve various ARCO user Groups
• Adopt standards

Key functionality of the Metadata Element Set is to provide:

• Administrative type of metadata
• Curatorial type of metadata
• Technical type of metadata
• Preservation of metadata
• Use type of metadata