By Brian Passey | Scottsdale Arts
Scottsdale Arts is partnering with the free arts and culture app Bloomberg Connects to provide exclusive content about exhibitions, public art, artists, events and more.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Scottsdale Public Art, both of which are operated by the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts, offer new guides through the Bloomberg Connects application for mobile devices.
“Bloomberg Connects will advance SMoCA’s values of creativity, collaboration, experimentation and exchange by significantly enhancing the visitor experience through greater accessibility and expanded exhibition content, such as audio interviews with artists,” said Ceci Moss, PhD, director and chief curator of SMoCA.
“I’m thrilled that our team will be incorporating this innovative and valuable tool into the museum’s offerings.”
Museum visitors who download the app gain access to special content for their visit to the award-winning Old Town Scottsdale institution, but the app also gives users access to enjoy SMoCA anytime, anywhere.
SMoCA’s guide has three primary sections, where users can discover SMoCA’s ever-growing collection with behind-the-scenes info of select artworks, learn more about SMoCA exhibitions through video and audio content, and find information about upcoming museum events.
While SMoCA offers a diverse mix of contemporary art in a museum setting, Scottsdale Public Art cares for the city’s permanent collection — more than 160 large-scale public artworks — while also organizing community exhibitions at Scottsdale Civic Center Library.
Kati Ballares, director of Scottsdale Public Art, said her department’s guide on Bloomberg Connects is a tool to help more people discover and engage with Scottsdale’s innovative and nationally recognized public art program.
“It offers an easy, accessible way to learn about our collection, artists and the stories behind the work — right from your phone,” Ms. Ballares said. “By expanding access to public art through this platform, we’re deepening community connection and appreciation for the vibrant cultural landscape of Scottsdale. This kind of visibility is so important for building awareness and inspiring future generations to value and support the arts.”
Scottsdale Public Art’s guide has four primary sections, where users can experience parts of the collection through curated audio tours while walking, biking or driving; discover audio and images of artworks from the collection; and explore library exhibitions.
The fourth section will provide an inside look at Canal Convergence, Scottsdale Arts’ free, annual, 10-night public art event that features large-scale light-based artworks, educational workshops, family-friendly activities and performances every November.
