Throughout this last year, many venues have launched virtual programs including online museum exhibits, artist talks and online concerts and film festivals. Some even plan to keep online exhibits up as they begin re-opening to in-person visitors. Here’s a selection of a few offerings that can be enjoyed from the comfort (and safety) of your own couch. They include slide shows, videos, even 360-degree walk-through tours! Yes, we know that seeing art on a computer isn't the same as seeing an exhibit in real life but still, there are advantages. There’s often more time to engage with the art, especially if you take the time to listen to artists and curators explaining their process and intent. Plus, you can grab a snack as you watch! Virtual museum tours can be a creative field trip idea for students as well as a safe, fun way to engage the entire family. There is also the added bonus of accessibility; you can visit collections around the world you might not have been able to visit otherwise. Grab a phone, tablet, or computer and explore these collections from all across the globe!
- The Albertina in Vienna, Austria
- Tokyo National Museum in Tokyo, Japan
- Guggenheim Museum in New York City, New York
- Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, South Korea
- Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands
- The Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy
- Musée du Louvre in Paris, France
- The Museu de Arte de São Paulo in São Paulo, Brazil
- The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois
- Benaki Museum in Athens, Greece
- The Broad in Los Angeles, California
- The Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain
- The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, New York
Enjoy these tours? Want to keep exploring? Go to Google Arts & Culture and you'll find art history guides, games, music, and all sorts of unique collections for you to discover. For more information, check out this blog or take a look at the books below from the library's collection!