Free Self-Directed Tours for all Modern Art Museums During Spring Break 2023
In time for Spring Break 2023 artist and author Robyn Jamison is introducing a free online tool that will take anyone on a meaningful tour of one of the USA’s over 1,300 art museums. Known as ‘The Magic of Modern Art on the Go’ the guide takes tourists through the artists world, helps each describe what is seen and experienced and recommends that analysis and judgement be left at the door. But why is this a good idea for spring breakers?
Not Everyone Can Travel for Spring Break
Families with school age children may not be able to afford a trip while others remain close to home for other reasons. A parent or guardian with job responsibilities cannot take much or any time off. So local attractions like art museums offer opportunities to explore and learn.
To find an art museum nearby Jamison recommends ‘Artcyclopedia.’ ‘Artcyclopedia’ offers a wealth of information about art museums and galleries. All are listed by state. In addition, there is information about 9,000 artists, 2,900 art websites, and 160,000 links to art related subject matter. “A general internet search for art museums will yield plenty of results but not necessarily anything close,” Jamison said. “This is a very valuable resource for locating museums in your state.”
Suggestions for Starting Your Tour
A few of the steps in her guide are: 1) If possible, go with a friend. According to Jamison, “this will give you the chance to debrief your experience, make new discoveries, express new insights and solidify all of that in a dialogue with someone you know and trust.”
2) Once inside the art museum, spend a few minutes getting an overall impression of the entire gallery or exhibition space. “If it’s in one open gallery space, look around the room,” Jamison said. “If the exhibit extends into more than one room, walk through without stopping in front of any one work of art.”
3) Then according to Jamison, identify a work of art that causes you a negative reaction. That’s the first work of art on which to focus. “You will be spending some time looking at and absorbing this work of art that you would normally be inclined to avoid,” she wrote. She recommends at least 15 minutes focused on this work.
Jamison stresses that art and how we each experience it is a unique and individual experience that happens in the mind of the observer. It requires a lot of mental effort. “Each of us will have a unique and personal experience with the art we see,” she said. “But whatever the reaction or experience, know that it is completely valid.”
