In the digital age, computer technology is increasingly being used to promote and disseminate cultural heritage. Contemporary applications enable public access to these traditions through modern exhibition technologies in museums and interactive digital platforms, allowing audiences to experience cultural heritage via multisensory engagement and immersive experiences. However, there is currently no effective method to assess the extent to which these museums and digital applications preserve the cultural authenticity of artistic heritage. This study constructs an “artistic gene” for Chinese shadow puppetry, grounded in meme theory, drawing from literature descriptions and field research conducted in museums. This framework not only identifies the core artistic elements of shadow puppetry but also serves as an evaluation model. The Findings indicate that contemporary museum exhibitions and digital applications related to shadow puppetry tend to focus primarily on the tangible art of shadow puppets, such as exquisite leather and paper artifacts, while overlooking the unique artistic expression of light and shadow. This study aims to explore how to bridge the gap between traditional artistic authenticity and digital innovation, thereby emphasizing the positive impact of integrating digital technologies on audience experience while preserving cultural authenticity.