TACOMA, WA.- Tacoma Art Museum now provides free Internet (WiFi) access, allowing museum visitors to access the Internet from the museum’s public spaces such as: Untitled Café, the Murray Family Event Space, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Art Resource Center , and the outdoor balcony. By becoming a WiFi Hotspot, Tacoma Art Museum has created a new means of integrating art and technology for community use.

“In order to achieve our mission of connecting people through art, it is crucial that we continue to advance in line with the ways people communicate and gather information today and into the future,” said Tacoma Art Museum Director Stephanie Stebich . “We hope that this new service will make the museum even more accessible to people and will serve as just one more reason to spend time here with us.”

Anyone with a wireless-enabled laptop or other device can access the free high-speed broadband Internet provided by the museum. When connecting to the network, users should look for “TAMWIFI.” There is no password or any further set-up required once “TAMWIFI” has been located and accessed. The museum’s WiFi supports all standard Internet security protocols, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Virtual Private Network (VPN), and Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC), to ensure safe usage.

Visitors are responsible for providing power for their devices, as well as cables, drivers, and all other aspects of support. The museum cannot provide extra storage, security for personal electronic devices, or any technical assistance. Additionally, Internet signal strength and bandwidth cannot be guaranteed to individual visitors.

Wireless accessibility is also a new feature available to groups and organizations that host events and programs at Tacoma Art Museum . Guidelines for group usage are available online at www.TacomaArtMuseum.org.

Tacoma Art Museum’s mission is to connect people through art. The museum serves the diverse communities of the region through its collection, exhibitions, and learning programs, emphasizing art and artists from the Northwest. The museum’s five galleries display an array of top national shows, the best of Northwest art, creatively themed exhibitions, and historical retrospectives. In addition, there is an Education Wing for children, adults, and seniors with an art resource center, classroom, and studio for art making. Tacoma Art Museum is located near the Museum of Glass , the Washington State History Museum , and historic Union Station.