Art Archive: Experience the Art Now

In response to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum of Friends (MoF) adapted to continue serving its community during periods of closure. Recognizing the need for greater accessibility, MoF developed new strategies to share educational and cultural content with a broader audience. One major outcome was the creation of Experience the Art Now—an audio-visual online tour featuring 200 works from the museum’s collection, narrated by Valarie Abney with support from the Fox Theatre team. This initiative marked a turning point in MoF’s commitment to digital engagement, ensuring ongoing connection with patrons when in-person visits were not possible. The project continues to evolve as part of MoF’s long-term plan to build a comprehensive digital archive of its collection and civic engagement initiatives, expanding access to art, history, and community stories for all.