Just Because You’re Stuck Inside Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Go to a Museum

Five virtual art experiences to get your inspiration flowing.
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Even if you have already become a virtual dinner party aficionado or you’ve been getting crafty with some DIY projects , when you’re spending all your time at home, you’ll likely start to miss the things you used to take for granted—like that art installation you meant to catch or the exhibition you figured you’d see eventually. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them now. In fact, tons of museums are opening up their doors for all to experience in this time of isolation, sharing videos and photos on Instagram under the hashtag #MuseumFromHome. Plus, through Google Arts & Culture you can also take virtual tours of some of the world’s most impressive cultural collections and sites.

As you start mapping your future plans to see and appreciate the art around you once it’s safe again to do so, you can revel in these exhibitions and resources from the comfort of your own space.

National Gallery of Art

Each day you can visit a different gallery in Washington, D.C.’s expansive art museum through Instagram. Of special interest is the new exhibition of sculptor and visual artist Lynda Benglis’s work, which is full of vibrant colors and patterns that are sure to brighten your day. If you find yourself in need of a five-minute break amid your work-from-home schedule, consider this a nice balm.

Art Basel

This worldwide visual celebration may have been canceled, but you can still experience it from home—even if you had no plans to attend the fair to begin with. Scroll through its online viewing room, which features more than 2,000 artworks from 235 global galleries. Make an evening of it by mixing some cocktails from your bar cart (or some healthy mocktails) and tapping through. Just note that, like the actual fair, it’s only available for a limited time—March 25 is the last day to view the exhibits.

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

If you’re quickly growing tired of the architecture you see on your daily isolation walks, here’s a treat: You can visit the Guggenheim virtually and get a history lesson on its iconic building, built by Frank Lloyd Wright, from 99% Invisible‘s Roman Mars as you do so.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Clicking through a museum collection might make for a soothing evening, but if you’re looking for a more involved activity, LACMA has you covered. The museum has made several online classes and short films available for free. The introductory course on Chinese painting is an especially calming way to spend your time.

Museum of Contemporary Art

One of the hardest things about staying in 24-7 is making sure your days don’t feel too monotonous—which is why MOCA’s current digital programming is a great option. Each day of the week, it will release different content to enjoy, from a virtual book club on Sunday to kid-friendly, interactive workshops (perfect for homeschooling) on Monday.

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Rebecca Deczynski

Writer/Editor

Rebecca is most often found digging through troves of vintage treasures, both in-person and online. Ask her to recommend a good book to read or an obscure Instagram account to follow, and you won’t be disappointed.