Art and Culture
University of Illinois art museum revamps website
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — University of Illinois’ museum has revamped its website to allow online visitors to access information about pieces in the museum’s collection for the first time.
The Krannert Art Museum will give online visitors access to 2,700 of the 10,000 pieces in the museum’s permanent collection, The News-Gazette reported . The museum hopes to have half of its collection online by the end of the year.
“We strongly believe it is important to make the art collection as accessible as possible,” said Kathleen Harleman, the museum director and interim dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts. “Building the means to access the collection online is an important part of that. Online visitors will have access to the breadth of work we do in teaching, conservation and research as a top academic art museum at the University of Illinois.”
The redesigned and expanded website has features for teachers to bring art into their classrooms as well as information about upcoming events. Original curatorial research related to the exhibits at the museum will also be available.
“We also plan to begin telling the stories of a variety of our devoted patrons and of those who give their time and talent to (the museum) in hope of inspiring giving at every level,” said Brenda Nardi, director of development at the museum. “We want our students, alumni, and friends to get a real sense of the impact they can and do make.”
The museum is the second largest general fine art museum in Illinois and operates within the College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
