The Swope Art Museum has launched its Bloomberg Connects app, a free digital guide to cultural organizations around the world. This collaboration brings the Swope’s rich collection and engaging tours to visitors' smartphones and digital devices, enhancing accessibility and providing a new way to explore the museum's treasures.
The Swope Art Museum's guide on Bloomberg Connects features three comprehensive audio tours covering 30 of the museum's most popular works. These tours span the First Floor and Zaun Galleries, Hulman, Hodge, and Contemporary galleries on the second floor, focusing on themes such as Hoosiers Impressionists, Artwork from the 1930s-1940s, and Art after the 1950s.
Each themed tour includes two options: an "interpretive" tour offering insights into the artists and their works, and an "audio description" tour providing full visual descriptions of each artwork. The audio description tour is specifically designed to enhance the experience for low-vision visitors, making the Swope's collection more accessible than ever before.
"This guide has endless applications and opportunities to bring the Swope's collection into a digital space," says Wyatt Lawson, Director of Education. "Not only will it provide accessible access to our artworks, but it will also allow us to share some of the stories behind the works that can make visiting the Swope an even more rewarding experience."
The Swope Art Museum is one of only two institutions in Indiana to be featured on the Bloomberg Connects app, joining over 350 museums and cultural organizations worldwide. Visitors can download the app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, allowing them to access the guide on their personal devices. Additionally, the museum will provide iPads with the app pre-installed for use throughout the galleries.
This initiative was made possible through funding from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation's SEED grant program. The grant supported the creation of digital assets for the app, including professionally recorded audio by Sheron Dailey, a video featuring the Stanley Lewis exhibition, and updated photographs of the museum.
“The Wabash Valley Community Foundation makes possible so many great things in our Western Indiana Communities,” said Fred J. Nation, executive director of the Swope. “We are proud to be a partner with the WVCF and Bloomberg Philanthropies in offering additional ways to enjoy the Swope’s collection.”
The Swope Art Museum's participation in the Bloomberg Connects program underscores its commitment to accessibility and innovation in the arts. Future plans include expanding the app's content to feature winning pieces from the Wabash Valley exhibition and collaborating with our curator to showcase upcoming exhibitions.
Visitors are encouraged to download the Bloomberg Connects app before their next visit to the Swope Art Museum to enhance their experience and discover new perspectives on the museum's renowned collection.
About the Swope Art Museum
The Swope Art Museum, located in downtown Terre Haute, is renowned for its extraordinary collection of nearly 2,500 works of American art. The museum's collection spans from the 19th century to the present, encompassing paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. The Swope's mission is to collect, preserve, and share American art to engage a diverse audience.
Founded through the generous bequest of Terre Haute jeweler Sheldon Swope, the museum stands as a testament to his vision and commitment to bringing art to the community. The Swope Art Museum continues to honor this legacy by providing access to exceptional American art and fostering cultural engagement in the region. The Swope is located at 25 S. 7t St., Terre Haute, Indiana 47807. It is open daily except Monday from Noon-5 PM. Admission is free.
About Bloomberg ConnectsBloomberg Connects is a free digital guide to cultural organizations around the world. The app makes it easy to access and engage with arts and culture from mobile devices, anytime, anywhere. Bloomberg Connects offers the ability to learn about current exhibitions at a portfolio of participating cultural partners through dynamic content exclusive to each organization.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in more than 570 cities and over 160 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org.
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