Mar 17, 2020 Activities & Education At the Museum COVID-19 can’t keep us apart! While we’re temporarily closing the museum to maintain the safety of our staff, volunteers, and guests and to stop the spread of the coronavirus, there are still plenty of ways for you to connect with Crystal Bridges and art. Whether you’re looking for educational tools for yourself or the kids, great things to read or listen to, or if you just want to stay connected for the latest news, here’s how you can stay in touch with Crystal Bridges: Stay Connected 1. Keep up with us on social media Stay home, but stay social! Social media is the fastest way for us to provide updates directly to our guests. We’ll continue to share news and content about art, architecture, nature, and more, while staying part of the social conversation during quarantine. Stay with us! Instagram: @crystalbridgesmuseum Facebook: @crystalbridgesmuseum Twitter: @crystalbridges Pinterest: @crystalbridges YouTube: @crystalbridgesmuseum 2. Sign up for eNews directly to your inbox We’ll send updates directly to you! Our weekly (and sometimes more frequent) eNewsletters offer up-to-date information and relevant resources to keep you informed, educated, and connected to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary, and art. You can choose your email preferences so we’re providing you with the content that is most relevant to you. Make sure you’re subscribed here. Get Your Art Fix 3. Take a virtual reality tour with CBVR CBVR, or Crystal Bridges Virtual Reality, lets you explore the museum galleries from afar via 360-degree videos. Get a glimpse into this project in the video above! Explore our YouTube page! While you’re on our YouTube page exploring CBVR, feel free to explore other videos, including recorded talks with Distinguished Speakers, visiting artists, architecture videos, and more! 4. Explore the full collection through eMuseum Did you know that you can explore the ENTIRE Crystal Bridges permanent collection on our website via eMuseum? Browse the museum’s entire collection of art by categories such as what’s on view, artist, or create an account and save your favorites! 5. Read the Crystal Bridges blog Why, yes. This very blog that you’re reading right now offers content about our offerings (like this post) and exciting features. Here are a few that I recommend: State of the Art 2020 Spotlight: Edra Soto An Interview with Hank Willis Thomas, Part I & Part II Teaching Empathy Through Art The Momentary: Enhancing Bentonville’s Quality of Life So You’ve Acquired an Artwork…Now What? Living Female Art Legends 6. Read artist interviews and more in C, the member magazine C is our member magazine offering content on upcoming exhibitions, features about the artworks in the museum’s permanent collection, and artist interviews. We archive the magazine on our website, so if you’d like some reading material, we have several years of magazines available for you to peruse. C archives can be found here. Learning Opportunities for Yourself or the Kids 7. Create an art project at home with the kids Follow our Pinterest board and find some ideas for art projects you can do at home with the kids, inspired by the work of famous artists! 8. Watch video essays on Smarthistory Smarthistory is the most visited art history resource in the world. 13 video essays have been created featuring artworks in the Crystal Bridges collection, in conversation with the museum’s curators. These videos are highly educational and provide interesting background information on the artists and time periods in which each work was created. Perfect for kids and adults alike! 9. Read stories about art on Google Arts and Culture The Crystal Bridges page on Google Arts and Culture offers a selection of stories about some of our paintings such as Winter Scene in Brooklyn, Our Town, and more, as well as collections of artworks to browse. 10. Use our education materials to teach art history at home Are you homeschooling, or a teacher looking for resources to engage with students online? Thanks to our wonderful partnerships in education, we have extensive online resources for you to use: Classroom Connections Crystal Bridges’ Education department has developed several “Classroom Connections” resources that connect specific works of art with school curricula and offer suggestions for lessons in the classroom. See a full list with downloadable one-pagers here. Reese Fellowship Websites The Reese Teacher Fellowship at Crystal Bridges is offered for teachers to work on projects that enrich high school curriculum based on an interdisciplinary connection between American art and another subject topic. Here are some resources from past fellowships: – Realms of Fin and Feet and Wing offers curriculum materials to integrate early American natural history documents and works of art into World History, American History, British Literature, American Literature, and Biology. – The Intersection of Poetry and Art offers a unique way to introduce art and poetry to any classroom. – Engaging Empathy uses art found in Crystal Bridges to develop lessons that strengthen empathy and literacy in secondary schools. For Your Earbuds 11. Download our apps and listen to audio tours CB Museum is a free app featuring a selection of audio and video tours of the museum’s permanent collection, arranged around a variety of themes. In addition, the app includes a tour highlighting the architectural features of the museum’s building, designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie. CB Outdoors is a free app for Apple and Android devices offers interactive trail maps, art and plant guides, and audio-tour information about many of the fascinating features of Crystal Bridges’ grounds. Users may select favorite features to create a personalized tour, and upload and share photos of their own discoveries on the Crystal Bridges trails! Available on Apple and Android app stores and Google Play. 12. Listen to our podcast, Museum Way While we’ve taken a bit of a hiatus in the past few months, Museum Way podcast offers exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories with Crystal Bridges staff and guests about the workings of the museum. Available on Spotify, Stitcher, or Apple Podcasts. And lastly… 13. Take a walk on the trails Need to get out of the house for a bit? The trails and grounds around Crystal Bridges remain open during their normal hours of sunrise to sunset. You can still admire over 30 sculptures found along the trails as well as the architecture of the building. Download the CB Outdoors app to get a map of the trails as well as art and plant guides. Want to keep up with the Momentary, our new contemporary art space? Click here to see a list of Momentary resources. Stay safe and healthy!
