ArtLab by MoMa
MoMa Embraces the iPad
For most art museums, the primary focus is the collection, and education is of equal importance. The role of education is to make the collection accessible to the public through the use of staff teachers or docents, and educational resources that can engage the public at a range of age levels. Since the iPad was introduced in 2010, mobile devices have changed the way the public becomes engaged with museum content. MoMa, recognizing the significance of this development, is one of the first museums to successfully introduce an iPad application for young and adult audiences that promotes the collection, while extending the learning experience beyond the museum walls.
The Elements of Art
When you first open Art Lab, you are provided with a black canvas with tools along the bottom comprised of lines, shapes and colors. These are the basic elements of art, which are used throughout to create original artwork inspired by the collection.
Ideas to Get You Started
When you click on the "lightbulb" icon, you are offered 17 suggestions for ways to use the various tools. Some of the suggestions include "experimenting with stretching, turning, shrinking, and layering shapes, making a person using geometric shapes, and designing a house or city with shapes.
Activities
Art Lab offers suggested activities to guide you through the learning process. Each activity includes a custom design activity that simulates traditional methods for creating art, such as using virtual scissors to cut shapes, or making a collage. Taking advantage of the iPads multimedia integration, activities are also interdisciplinary, including "creating a sound composition," or "creating a shape poem."
My Gallery
The methods of engagement for learning opportunities in art museums emphasize personal connections. Likewise with Art Lab, the 'My Gallery" section allows the user to keep a personal gallery of art creations, which reinforces the idea the art appreciation is not only a subject to be studied, but an experience for active participation.
Museum Info
The application emphasizes the activities, yet the user is still offered a link to museum information to remind the user that the Museum is still the original source of inspiration for creating and learning about art, and that visits to the museum (viewing original works of art) are still integral to the overall experience.
Art Lab is arguably the best application released by an art museum that promotes the collection and education through the means of technology and the iPad.
Art Lab is arguably the best application released by an art museum that promotes the collection and education through the means of technology and the iPad.