Five Ways to Explore Culture This Weekend with Podcasts, Online Courses, Livestream, and Music
Social distancing is impacting the way that we live and work. While most arts and cultural institutions have closed their physical doors for the time being, many are finding creative ways to bring people together virtually through digital cultural experiences. From museums embracing the hashtag #MuseumFromHome on social media to share digital gallery tours, to theater and dance companies offering performances and classes via online streaming platforms, cultural institutions are finding new ways to adapt and bring audiences entertainment and inspiration from the comfort of their homes.
Brighten your day and enrich your mind by checking out these digital resources and opportunities from cultural institutions this weekend:
For Anyone Who Wished They Majored in Art History, Check Out the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Use this time to learn about art history with New York City’s Museum of Modern Art Check out the collection of online resources, including an extensive online audio guide, supported by Bloomberg Connects and free online courses via Coursera. You can also engage with MoMA through its digital magazine, YouTube channel, and podcast collaboration with the BBC, The Way I See It.
For History and Culture Buffs, Explore the Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum is a museum at the intersection of art and Jewish culture for people of all backgrounds. You can experience its collection remotely through the voice of contemporary artists and learn about Jewish traditions and rituals from rabis via the museum’s mobile audio tours. Supported by Bloomberg Connects, these engaging audio tours are available on a web app that is easily accessible from any device. The Jewish Museum is also highlighting other ways to explore its collection remotely using the #MuseumFromHome hashtag on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
For the Music Lover Who Enjoys a Little Drama, Stream the Metropolitan Opera
Are you curious about opera and looking to check it out? Or are you a patron who misses the experience and beauty of a story unfolding on stage? Either way, , The Metropolitan Opera has you covered! For the first time ever, the Met is hosting “Nightly Met Opera Streams” in HD on its official website in an effort to “brighten the lives of its audience members even when the stage is dark.” These free performances begin at 7:30 p.m. EST every night and remain available online for 20 hours afterward.
For the Architecture Crowd, Explore the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Are you interested in architecture? You can learn more about the museum’s iconic architecture by taking a virtual tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s spiraling rotunda and listen to stories about the building’s design in a podcast created in collaboration with 99% Invisible. You can also access the digital guide by downloading the Bloomberg Connects app (Apple App Store and Google Play Store) to learn about the Guggenheim’s exhibitions, discover more than 1,700 artworks and watch videos profiling artists from the Guggenheim Collection, and access more than 200 free Guggenheim art books online.
For Podcast Enthusiasts, Direct Your Attention to the Public Art Fund
If you’re a fan of podcasts, turn up the volume for the Public Art Works podcast produced by the Public Art Fund (PAF). PAF mounts ambitious free exhibitions of international scope and impact, offering the public powerful experiences through art and the urban environment. But they remind us that you don’t have to be outside to enjoy art! To continue engaging audiences who are staying put at home, the Public Art Fund has launched a #PAFchallenge on Instagram and Twitter, with the first quiz questions focused on its Public Art Works podcast. So be sure to listen to the episode closely to find the answers.
Through Bloomberg Connects, Bloomberg Philanthropies supports the development of innovative technology designed to transform the visitor experience at cultural institutions, allowing them to reach broader audiences and increase access.
This post is the first in a series of weekly blog posts highlighting five easy and fun ways for you to engage with culture without leaving home, from institutions that Bloomberg Philanthropies supports through Bloomberg Connects and others.
Additionally, Bloomberg Philanthropies is proud to offer further support to small and midsize arts and cultural organizations in New York City as they navigate financial challenges related to COVID-19 as a founding member of the newly launched NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund. Through this fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies has joined a network of philanthropic funders to support New York City-based nonprofit arts, cultural and social service organizations that provide critical services and enhance the quality of life in New York City.
Check back next Friday for more resources, and follow Bloomberg Philanthropies on Twitter and Facebook for a daily cultural spotlight.