Bloomberg Philanthropies Announced as Sponsor of the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia and Bloomberg Connects Will Serve as the Exclusive Free Mobile App
Conversations with artists, writers, and thinkers will be hosted in-person at the Bloomberg Connects Lounge
New York, NY – Today, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced that it will serve as the official sponsor for the 59th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia and its programs to engage audiences with speaking panels and digital content. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ free Bloomberg Connects mobile app will serve as the exclusive mobile app for the Biennale Arte 2022 central exhibition, titled The Milk of Dreams. The information on Bloomberg Connects will be, available starting April 20, 2022, and will include insights on the more than 200 artists featured in the Milk of Dreams central exhibition and information on La Biennale’s 58 National Pavilions. With helpful way-finding maps, the app’s guide for the 59th International Art Exhibition will serve as a central resource for in-person visitors. It will also include photos, videos, audio content from artists and curators, and background information that will allow app users to explore featured artwork from anywhere.
“The past two years have underscored the power of technology to keep us connected, but it can never replace the joy of experiencing great art in person. As more visitors return to arts organizations, we’re pleased to support the Biennale Arte 2022 and offer new ways for people to engage with artists and their work,” said Patricia E. Harris, CEO of Bloomberg Philanthropies. “The Bloomberg Connects app is a wonderful tool for exploring the Biennale Arte 2022, and the conversations we host in the Bloomberg Connects Lounge will amplify the voices and ideas that are shaping the future of the creative arts worldwide.”
The U.S. Pavilion, also supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, will feature artist Simone Leigh, whose history-making exhibition at the U.S. Pavilion will be the first dedicated entirely to the experiences and contributions of Black women. Expanded information about the U.S. Pavilion will be available via the existing Bloomberg Connects guide for the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, commissioners of the U.S. Pavilion at the Biennale Arte 2022.
In addition to creating the exclusive mobile app for the 59th International Art Exhibition, Bloomberg Philanthropies is sponsoring the Bloomberg Connects Lounge to host compelling conversations with leading artists, writers, and thinkers. The conversations will explore the intersection of the arts and vital topics including inclusivity, the environment and technology.
Bloomberg Philanthropies has a long-standing history of support for international Biennales including involvement in the Liverpool, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney, and Venice events. Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Arts program utilizes innovative partnerships and bold approaches to place arts at the center of economic growth and to empower artists and cultural organizations. Support for the Biennale Arte 2022 also builds on Bloomberg Philanthropies history of funding digital innovation at cultural organizations around the world. Since 1999, Bloomberg Philanthropies has helped museums stay up to date with relevant new technology – such as audio guides, mobile apps, and location-aware navigational tools – to transform the visitor experience, encouraging interaction and exploration on- and off-site. In 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies launched the Digital Accelerator Program to help arts organizations invest in and use technology to help speed economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bloomberg Connects hosts free digital guides from cultural organizations around the world. The app platform is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ longstanding commitment to supporting digital innovation in the arts. Bloomberg Connects makes it easy to access and engage with arts and culture from mobile devices when visiting in person, or anytime from anywhere. With dynamic content exclusive to each partner organization, the app provides a range of features including video, audio, and text; expert commentary; and way-finding maps. Follow Bloomberg Connects on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates on new guide launches, exhibit highlights, and more.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies:
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 941 cities and 173 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2021, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.66 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
Media Contact:
Rebecca Carriero
Bloomberg Philanthropies
+1 (212) 205-0182
rebeccac@bloomberg.org