NEW YORK, NY.- It was announced on Monday, April 28, 2014, that The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Instagram account was selected as the Webby Award Winner in the Social: Arts & Culture category in the 18th Annual Webby Awards. The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet. The IADAS, which nominates and selects The Webby Award winners, is comprised of web industry experts. With 12,000 entries from all 50 states and more than 60 countries, and two millions votes in the Webby People’s Voice Awards, the 18th Annual Webby Awards were bigger than ever before.

The Metropolitan Museum’s Instagram account is managed by Online Community Manager Taylor Newby, who shares photographs daily to the account’s more than 112,000 followers. Images from the Met’s collection, exhibitions, events, and programs, along with behind-the-scenes content, have engaged the Museum’s growing audience on this social media channel.

“Our Webby win is just the latest sign that our various web and social efforts are helping to bring even more attention to our collection and our exhibitions,” said the Museum’s Chief Digital Officer Sree Sreenivasan. “Our social team has done a fabulous job of showcasing the treasures of the Met on various platforms, and it is part of the broader digital strategy to connect with our visitors, both online and in person."

Taylor Newby added, “We’re thrilled that our Instagram account has won this Webby Award. It’s a huge honor for the Museum. Out of all of the Museum’s social platforms, our most engaged audience is on Instagram and it brings me great joy to share the Met with our Instagram followers throughout the world every day.”