I'm convinced that iPhone apps are going to become the norm in museum educational media. MoMA posed a question on its Twitter feed asking users "What features would you like to see in an iPhone app for a specific museum?" They were flooded with responses that were conveniently compiled by Fluid Project.
I stole the following link from a post on the Art Ed Ning site featuring the 30 best iPhone apps for art teachers. There are two museum apps on the top 30 list which come courtesy of the National Gallery, London, and the Brooklyn Museum. Finally, I can touch the art! Here's the thing--the Brooklyn Museum app is free, while the National Gallery costs $2.99.
Naturally I downloaded the Brooklyn Museum app first. Released in July 2009, it's a promising start. I like the "randomize collection" option on this app, which pulls in object images from the collection--no information or description beyond the basic object info, but still fun. You can also search for images via keyword or name, which is a handy tool. Other than these search functions, the app provides visitor information and not much else.It just really makes me want to cough up the 3 bucks for the National Gallery
app to see what these apps can really do. Entitled "Love Art: National Gallery, London," this app was launched in June 2009, neck and neck with Brooklyn's. FYI it was originally free before adding the hefty $2.99 charge. It sounds like it's worth the money for art enthusiasts, including audio commentary and zoom functions on high quality images (the app is big at 209 MB).So what should I do? Buy the app or save my lunch money? Should museums be charging for apps? It would be a way to generate extra revenue...but iPhone users love to boast that they never purchase apps and still find the best apps for free. What do you think? Cast your vote in the poll on the right.
The Brooklyn Museum's blog offers a fun interview with their app designer, Adam Shakelford. It's really exciting to see this kind of forward-thinking, progressive educational development in art institutions. The National Gallery website features a less exciting but informative press release about their app, which claims to be the first museum iPhone application....but it seems like this claim is made a lot. Note the following:
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History "Butterflies Alive!" exhibition app (launched in June): “We are excited to be the first museum to release an app for the iPhone."
Van Gogh Museum "Yours, Vincent" app (launched in September): "The Van Gogh Museum is the first museum on the European Continent to have developed...an iPhone application."
Hmmmmm....
I think this is a great article. Really makes you think about the business side of the museum world. Personally, I think charging for museum apps is a very unique way for museums to generate additional revenue.
ReplyDeletelove the concept of museum apps. i hope they all figure it out sooner than later and get on board. and the review of the brooklyn museum app is much appreciatedl. now if we could just figure out how to get everyone iphones.....
ReplyDeleteTouche. My post is glaringly absent of any reference to the fact that most people don't have iPhones. I think I've become pretty jaded in my mac/apple saturated art school world.
ReplyDeleteAs a semi solution, I like the MCA's policy mentioned in class that ipod touches can be checked out in exchange for a credit card (which would not be charged but only held to ensure return of the ipod).