By Catie Anderson, Museum educator
How plugged in are you? Keeping
pace with technology can be both challenging and exhilarating. Welcome to my
world these past few months.
I’m proud to announce the
launch of the Woodson Art Museum’s updated, tech-savvy, and user-friendly audio
tour on easy-to-use iTouch devices that will be available for visitors’ in-gallery
use. This fall, multi-media tours of two exhibitions – Birds in Art and Owen J. Gromme: An Enduring Legacy – will
be offered through our very own Woodson Art Museum app.
Those who have used audio
tours in our galleries know they can enhance visitors’ experiences through
engaging and thought-provoking highlights of an exhibition. Soon, you’ll be
able to watch video of Owen Gromme at work in his studio, while you stand in
front of his original easel, immersing yourself fully in the artworks on view
and the story of this acclaimed Wisconsin painter. Visitors also can listen to Birds in Art artists as they comment on
their works and artistic processes.
Museums across the globe
have embraced the touch screen, elevating the traditional app and
revolutionizing the ways in which visitors connect to artworks, objects, and
stories in galleries. I highly recommend exploring the world of museum apps; it
will provide hours of entertainment and information.
Curator of Exhibitions
Andy McGivern and I are working with high school student Alan Raff on the development and building of our audio tour app. Raff attends the Wausau Engineering and Global Leadership Academy on the campus of Wausau East High School.
This undertaking simply would not have been possible without the knowledge,
enthusiasm, and patience (!) of Alan, who has helped me and Andy navigate the
code-writing and editing required for app development. A big thanks goes to Alan
for his hard work and dedication as our media and technology intern this summer.
The audio tour content is
the result of the creative writing efforts of interpretive media consultants at
Sandbox Studios,
Minneapolis, and Woodson staff. Art interpretation for an audio tour can be a
challenge in creative writing. Audio tour stops should offer listeners nuggets
of tantalizing information and provide insights into the artwork before them.
The material must be delivered in succinct, clear language that captures the
imagination and keeps the listener engaged. No easy task.
You also may be wondering
who will be “the voice” describing artworks on view this fall. Wisconsin Public Radio’s Glen Moberg,
of course! Moberg graciously agreed to lend his voice talent to the project
ensuring a professional and thoughtful delivery of the content we’ve worked so hard
to produce.
We hope to see you in the
galleries and “plugged in” this fall, enjoying all the Woodson Art Museum has
to offer.
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