As we continue to follow stay–at–home orders and social distancing guidelines, it is apparent we are starting to feel bored with the daily routine of watching our favourite shows and scrolling through social media feeds to quench our thirst for adventure. However, there is a way to gain inspiration and gaze at some of the world’s coveted institutes all thanks to some tech-savvy curators. Due to the pandemic, many museums have decided to go virtual and provide visitors with an immersive experience all while being in the comfort of your own home. All you need is a screen and a few hours to get started!
The British Museum
Since opening to the public in the year 1759, The British Museum has gained a coveted spot on the must-see list of visitors from around the globe thanks to the institute’s 8-million-piece collection which spans 2 million years of human history. The Rosetta Stone And Mummy of Katebet are just a few of the iconic pieces visitors can see and hear thanks to Google Arts & Culture.
Experience the virtual tour of The British Museum
The Art Institute of Chicago
Located in Chicago’s Grant Park, proudly referred to as “Chicago’s Front Yard”, The Art Institute of Chicago boasts an impressive 1.5 million visitors annually and with great reason due to the enormous collection of work spanning centuries and the globe. One of the oldest museums in the United States, the institute lets visitors browse by theme (like “African Diaspora” or “Cityscapes” or search for a specific piece (like Diego Rivera’s Weaving or Vincent Van Goh’s Self-Portrait).
Experience the virtual tour of The Art Institute of Chicago
The Louvre
As a central landmark of Paris, France, The Louvre Museum is the world’s largest art museum containing some of Western Civilization’s most famous pieces. Besides being the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Eugene Delacroix’s La Liberté Guidant le Peuple, there are also exhibits focused on subjects such as the connection between political power along with Egyptian artifacts from the Pharaonic Period.
Experience the virtual tour of The Louvre
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Due to COVID-19, all of the Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. are temporarily closed but that does not mean the learning or activities have come to an end at the National Museum of Natural History. In fact, visitors are encouraged to take a virtual visit of the entire grounds and view over 145 million artifacts and specimens which showcases the connection between Earth and human interaction. Through special videos, audio recordings, and educational resources, patrons of all ages get an opportunity to look at fan favourites such as the Sant Ocean Hall, David K. Hoch’s Hall of Fossils, and African Voices.
Experience the virtual tour of The National Museum of Natural History
The Vatican Museums
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Through the 70,000-piece collection amassed by the Roman Catholic Church and the Papacy since 1506, the public art and sculpture museum was 2019’s third most visited art museum in the world. Located in the Vatican City, Italy the institute is home to the world-renowned Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo and the Augustus of Prima Porta sculpture of Augustus Caesar. Including Roman sculptures and Renaissance art, the museum gives visitors a chance to experience centuries of treasured artistic developments.
Experience the virtual tour of The Vatican Museums
Google Arts Project
In an effort to give users a quality, Google has partnered with 1200 institutions worldwide to bring the arts and culture to you. As a part of the Google Arts & Culture Collections, visitors can virtually see high-resolution images of art and virtual museum exhibits with the power of Google Street View technology. Take a look at work from pre-Hispanic heritage in Mexico at The National Museum of Anthropology or Dutch art and 17th-century silver and porcelain in the Rijks museum in the Netherlands.
