10 Virtual Gallery Experiences to Inspire Creativity
When inspiration Strikes: virtual gallery experiences to ignite your CREATIVITY
We’ve all become really good at finding inspiration in our local environments. But sometimes, inspiration and creativity just needs that extra nudge. Immersion in art and culture can generate a new sense of excitement and wonder, a creative energy and flow that takes over. This is especially true for creatives, designers and business owners used to getting out and about exploring the world to kick-start inspiration… a pursuit that has become much more difficult since Covid came in to our worlds.
The good news is that technology and circumstance has led some institutions and gallery spaces to accelerate their online programs, meaning we are now offered incredible access to galleries virtually, from the comfort of home.
For us here at the agency, exploring new neighbourhoods, niche local galleries and world renowned institutions can trigger inspiration and broaden the mind. So we’re sharing a list of 10 incredible galleries offering online exhibitions to explore – lockdown or not!
How many have you visited in our Top 10 list (listed in no particular order)?
1 | PARIS | MUSÉE DE LOUVRE
With some of the most iconic artwork of all time under its roof, the Musée De Louvre is a must-visit when in Paris. But why wait till you can get there in person again when you can visit the gallery online.
Plus, there are no crowds in the virtual world!
Enjoy these iconic masterpieces, in the comfort of home, with a glass of Burgundy and cheese platter to hand…
Image credit: thanks to Musee de Louvre and Liam McGarry
2 | NEW YORK | THE MET #METANYWHERE
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has an amazing array of exhibits year round (pre-Covid), some of which they’ve also made available to view online.
Click through to discover the latest online offerings from this iconic gallery including the Met 360 Experience, which uses 360 degree technology to allow the viewer to experience the gallery in an immersive way, virtually.
The gallery’s online offering even has its own virtual hashtag, #metanywhere.
Image Credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
3 | SYDNEY | MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (MCA)
Even though the doors are shut (at the time of writing), the MCA continues to make art accessible via online exhibitions and events including activist, artist and political commentator Richard Bell’s The Embassy, Art Parcel, and The Young Creatives Zine Library.
Whilst we miss the roof top views (with drinks) usually scheduled after any viewing or event at the MCA, the exhibitions are exceptional in their own right, and are well worth taking in. Our tip: view from a big screen to get the most out of the experience.
Image Credit: The Musem of Contemporary Art, Sydney. Artwork: Vincent Namatjira, P.P.F. (Past-Present-Future), 2021
4 | GLOBAL | THE GOOGLE STREET ART PROJECT
From Berlin to Manchester to Barcelona, street art has come into its own. The Google Street Art Project brings together street artists from across the globe.
The Project doesn’t just display the street art, but explores the stories behind them from the artists themselves. It’s a fascinating view into the world of street art and one that’s worthy of many visits.
Miss travel? This one has you feeling you’ve explored laneways and backstreets across the world when you’ve not even left the couch.
Image credit: thanks to The Google Street Art Project
5 | MELBOURNE | NATIONAL GALLERY VICTORIA (NGV)
With arguably the best selection of online exhibitions in Australia the National Gallery of Victoria is a must-visit stop on your online gallery tour of the world.
With Victoria enduring one of the longest, most severe Covid lockdowns in the world in 2020, and again in 2021, the Gallery has performed a valuable public service in making the high-quality exhibitions available to online visitors.
Our favourites? Maree Clarke’s Ancestral Memories, Collecting Comme, and the enduring NGV Salon.
6 | CANBERRA | NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA (NGA)
Australia’s National Gallery is an imposing brutalist piece of architecture sitting on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in the Parliamentary Circle; an experience in itself to behold.
However, the gallery has made it possible to access certain exhibitions online where you can virtually walk around the rooms as if viewing in person. This makes for a very immersive experience. You almost hear the quiet, hushed footsteps and whispered contemplative remarks as you navigate around the rooms.
7 | SOUTH KOREA | NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART
With many locations to draw upon, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary art in South Korea has a plethora of fantastic contemporary art works to devour.
The online exhibitions draw from all gallery locations- Gwacheon, Deoksugung, Seoul and Cheongju, and explore art from Korean artists, renowned international artists, and emerging Korean contemporary artists.
We particularly enjoyed exploring the works included in the 2021 young Korean artists exhibition.
8 | LONDON | VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSUEM (V&A)
The Victoria and Albert Museum was a personal favourite when I lived in London, and is one I always visit when the opportunity arises.
The online offering from the V&A offers more courses, workshops, talks and events than exhibits and adds variety to your gallery visits schedule.
A great resource for art and design lovers, educators, creatives and the general public, there are a number of ways to interact and engage with the gallery no matter where you are.
9 | BILBAO | GUGGENHEIM BILBAO
If you’re an architecture or art lover you will have this world-class gallery on your bucket list (if you’ve not visited already).
While you can’t walk around and experience the awe-inspiring architecture, you can access a number of online options, including exhibits, resources, talks, tours, courses and events.
While this one remains on our must-visit-in-person list, we love the range of interactive programs available online.
10 | BOSTON | Museum of Fine Arts
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts has a program of events for you to experience the gallery from home. With classes, talks, exhibitions, music events, performances, video and more, there are many ways to engage online.
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is accessible via the official website, and Google Arts and Culture and you can sign up to the MFA’s emails or watch in depth lectures on their You Tube channel.
