MCN 2024

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is increasing the size of its current facilities by 50 percent. Adding nearly 100,000 square feet to the 200,000-square-foot facility, the expansion will allow the museum to showcase its growing collection and welcome more visitors to experience the power of art, in an inclusive environment. Envisioned to support Crystal Bridges’ commitment to free access to art for all, the new space will increase capacity for presenting art and exhibitions, educational and outreach initiatives, cultural programming, and community events. Increased gallery space (by 65 percent) will allow the museum to present art with two new galleries while also adding to existing space for temporary exhibitions and offering new spaces for community displays and in-gallery engagements.

This past year, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art opened three experimental gallery spaces. One experimental space focuses on the art of American craft; woodworking, ceramics, textiles. This space not only explores how we play with our collection, but how we plan and execute both physical and digital engagements. This space plays a significant role in the institution’s digital expansion through a digital interactive pilot focused on contemporary artist processes of woodworking.

This presentation will illustrate the processes of creating this interactive pilot including leading an multi-departmental task force, participating in a global web3 technology cohort and tech accelerator program (Web3 for Arts and Culture), and producing an experience that transcends the in-person experience through an online gaming platform (Spatial.io).

Through a tech accelerator program called Web3 for Arts and Culture (https://wac-lab.xyz), the museum partnered with a digital agency, Broken Egg (brokenegg.io). Together, they developed an immersive experience that guides visitors through the woodworking processes of various artists represented in the museum’s permanent collection.