For art lovers across the Hollins University community and globe, access to the collections, programs, and student projects of Hollins’ Eleanor D. Wilson Museum (EDWM) is now just a tap away.
This spring, the EDWM launched its digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, a free culture app developed by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The app connects users with more than 900 museums, galleries, gardens, historic sites, and cultural spaces worldwide.
Hollins’ on-campus museum is part of the first Bloomberg Connects cohort dedicated to academic museums and galleries. The EDWM digital guide, coordinated by Laura Ilawan ’17, the museum’s visitor services and programs coordinator, enables Hollins to reach a broad audience—from alumnae to local Roanoke community members, increasing the museum’s public profile and accessibility.
“The free app brings the EDWM experience to users anytime, anywhere,” says Jessica L. Ambler, Ph.D., EDWM director and co-director of the galleries, libraries, archives, museums certificate program. With images, audio, video, alt text, and translations in more than 30 languages, users can explore the permanent collection, exhibitions, the annual Frances Niederer Artist in Residence, and events.
Ambler and Ilawan are excited about how the app supports experiential learning. “It’s providing opportunities for Hollins interns and fellows to learn about art museum work in a variety of capacities,” says Ambler. “Students research our permanent collection, add labels to artwork entries, interview artists and create audio guides for temporary exhibitions. Our senior art majors will have their work featured online, and students can curate other digital exhibitions.”
TO USE BLOOMBERG CONNECTS: Download the free Bloomberg Connects app from Google Play or the App Store and search “Hollins” or go to the College & University Galleries tab to find the guide.