4 Ways Tech Is Changing The Museum Experience

There are around 55,000 museums spread in 202 countries. Despite such a large number of museums, the world of art has always been accessible to more privileged ones of the of society. But now technological advancements have demystified the world of art. Museums are now more easily accessible and delivering a more engaging and immersive experience to art enthusiasts.

Technology is efficiently connecting the guest to the extraordinary art of exhibits from all over the world through smartphones or installed hardware. Tech has shattered all the physical barriers and is helping art lovers to explore museums more minutely. It has enabled audiences to participate in any art exhibition from around the world.

Through this article, we will explore technologies that are making a difference in the museum experience for art lovers. And how artists and curators can leverage these technologies to reach more number of art lovers across the globe.

Augmented Reality On Smartphones

Augmented reality is the latest form of guided tours that are based purely on the goodness of technology. Visitors can leverage their smartphones to enjoy a guided tour of the museum without the presence of any guide. A viewer can simply point through art pieces and museum content to read or hear interactive content appearing on their smartphones. It offers an engaging experience to the visitor as more information and vital facts can be learned about the art. For instance, Smithsonian offers multiple mobile apps that visitors are encouraged to download before entering the exhibit. The apps are designed to deliver engaging information about artifacts with HD images, video and audio including commentaries of the artists. Detroit Institute of Arts offers guided tours by leveraging augmented reality app developed through Google Tango.

Immersive Guided and Interactive Tours

Guided tours are not something that is new. They have been there for several decades to help art lovers easily navigate around and understand museums easily. Now museums are delivering guided experience through digital audio. Visitors are required to bring their earphones and plug into a designated area to listen to recorded commentaries of artists. Or visitors can leverage digital screens to explore art more minutely. For example; The Chrysler Museum in Norfolk offers an interactive and immersive experience through digital easels that encourages children to explore art and create their masterpieces. Its interactive gallery offers a family experience to explore and indulge in artistic activities while learning about the human body.

Real-Time Video Tours

Remote real-time video tours have emerged as a boon for art lovers who can’t visit museums located across the world. It offers an immersive digital solution for museum enthusiasts to experience displays and pieces while interacting with artists and curators. A real-time video tour is also a potent tool for artists and curators to make their artwork accessible to millions of art enthusiasts across the globe. Less known artists are leveraging it as a tool to make their art reach more people through technologies including Skype and Facetime without renting expensive gallery spaces. For instance, Kimberly-Klark hosted an exhibition in a small space by collaborating with a few local artists. They gave guided tours on a video call through Skype or Facetime to every art lover who contacted them.

Virtual Excursions

Schools are also leveraging video calling as a potent platform to introduce their students with incredible artwork from around the world. Students are able to learn and experience art remotely without having to pay a fortune in traveling and visiting the museum physically.

For example, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Australia is offering this kind of service in which it offers an interactive workshop by art lovers with artists and curators through video conference.