Utilizing Digital Media to Reach and Engage New Audiences

In 2018, I began brainstorming and testing new ways to integrate technology into the content creation strategies at The Bass. With a photography partner, I carved out a small budget to test virtual reality documentation of exhibition spaces, adapting an emerging technology developed primarily for real estate called Matterport. My team and I had direct access to the Matterport software and implemented interactive elements within the virtual tour spaces, engaging both on-site and remote audiences. The test was a hit and I proceeded to identify grant funding for the continuation and expansion of the project. I wrote and submitted the application for funding through the Knight Foundation, ultimately receiving a grant of $50,000 for the museum to invest in prototype uses of technology to exhibit art and further the mission. 

Ultimately, the virtual tours were such a success that I was able to secure permanent funding through our operational funds. The grant funds were directed towards a different prototype project instead, taking the form of a satellite Instagram gallery, @TheBassSquared, in Summer 2019. In partnership with our curator, I led the production, execution, promotion, and launch of the digital gallery project, working with my team to design a subbranding and manage the day-to-day of the account. 

As for the virtual exhibition tours, these were proven essential when the museum closed indefinitely in March 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. I secured additional funding through COVID relief grants to reignite the program during the closure and subsequent budget cuts, documenting new works from the collection and public art installations. By engaging the guest services and education teams, I developed supplemental content to add to the virtual spaces like recorded docent narratives about particular works and video soundbites from gallery guides, curators, or the artists themselves. Having the foresight to create this virtual content before the need was critical in ensuring continued programming and audience engagement during a forced building closure. 

Several virtual tours I developed are linked below, as well as coverage I secured to promote the @TheBassSquared's inaugural exhibition, Joyous Dystopia.