OMAHA, NE.- As
Joslyn Art Museum is presently closed through April 30, 2020 in response to community efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, the Museum’s staff has planned a series of virtual engagement opportunities for all ages. Experiences range from passive to participatory and are meant to be both educational and entertaining.
Joslyn executive director and CEO Jack Becker noted, “While in-person Museum access is not possible, Joslyn remains committed to connecting everyone with the arts. Many of you have reached out saying that you miss us, and we miss you. We hope that these virtual art moments provide a chance for you to connect to the Museum and the arts from afar.”
In addition to regular continuing social media activity, the following opportunities will be highlighted via the Museum’s website (www.joslyn.org) and @joslynartmuseum on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter:
• Virtual Tour: Fact and Fiction in Contemporary Photography
Find it: Facebook, website (available now)
Joslyn’s exhibition Fact and Fiction in Contemporary Photography was one month into its three-month run at closure, but selections from the show can still be enjoyed! The mobile tour for the exhibition, presented in English and Spanish, now features images of the art referenced at each audio stop so it can be all be experienced from home.
• Art Adventures LIVE!
Find it: Facebook (Fridays, March 27–April 24; 10:30 am)
Art Adventures is a drop-in studio program for our youngest audiences (ages 3–5 with an adult), normally held every Friday at the Museum. Now, the whole family can drop-in . . . virtually! Join studio programs manager Andy Smith as he streams the program live from the Museum’s classrooms.
A few things to know:
o Facebook events will be created in advance so families can sign up and gather materials, or learn more at www.joslyn.org/education/classes/art-adventures/ (info coming soon).
o Projects will use simple supplies that households are likely to already have on hand.
o Free art supply bags will be disseminated to some of our program partners and will also be available for pickup by the public outside the Museum on Thursday mornings before each session (while supplies last).
Art Adventures LIVE! Themes:
Friday, March 27 @ 10:30 am — Artist Explorers
Artwork: Karl Bodmer (Swiss, 1809–1893), Gopher, 1834
Friday, April 3 @ 10:30 am — Colorful Chandeliers
Artwork: Dale Chihuly (American, b. 1941), Chihuly: Inside & Out, 2000
Friday, April 10 @ 10:30 am — Pop-Up Critters
Artwork: Alex Katz (American, b. 1927), Cow, 1984
Friday, April 17 @ 10:30 am — 3D Drawing
Artwork: Frank Stella (American, b. 1936), Nogaro, 1982
Friday, April 24 @ 10:30 am — Picture Mash
Artwork: Roger Shimomura (American, b. 1939), Untitled, 1985
• Curator-led Virtual Gallery Talks
Find them: Facebook, Instagram (ongoing beginning week of March 23)
Listen to our curators give short talks about works on view in the galleries, accompanied by video of the art.
• Crowdsourcing the Collection
Find it: Instagram (responses to the first request for ideas will be coming soon!)
An initial request on Instagram generated great ideas! The curatorial staff is working on responses about the works people picked.
• Prompts for Children & Families
o Story in Six: comment with a six-word response to “caption” the artwork we provide
Find it: Facebook (onging)
o Shared Views: comment with a personal photo in response to the artwork and a prompt we provide
Find it: Facebook (onging)
o Emoji Match: comment using only emojis to describe the artwork we provide.
Find it: Instagram (onging)
• Hashtag Conversations — Watch for Them!
o #WomensHistoryMonth—this month-long celebration features artists who are women
Find it: Facebook, Instagram (March)
o #MuseumFromHome—resources that can be used from home
Find it: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (ongoing)
o #MuseumMomentsofZen—images of calming works from the collection
Find it: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (ongoing)
• Art Educators — more “at home” resources are being added to the JOSLYNtrc Pinterest account, including resources supplied during Joslyn’s Thursdays for Teachers program.
