10 Ways to Engage Online With North Carolina Museums
By Karl Galloway
In case you didn’t know, it’s International Museum Day! To help celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of 10 ways that you can engage from home with some of the wonderful institutions in North Carolina.
Distance Learning
Hoping to add to your child’s daily education? The Asheville Art Museum has great activities for kids and adults alike. Partner up with other families and contact the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to schedule a lesson! For younger kids, the Marbles Kids Museum is a wonder, and the North Carolina Museum of History and North Carolina Museum of Art both provide learning packets for more advanced learners. For parents and caregivers who are providing daily learning opportunities for children, these resources can be lifesavers. And you may find yourself enjoying the lessons as much as your kids! You can find all of our online resources in one place at NCLearn@Home.
Online Collections
Those who like wandering through long galleries may enjoy perusing digital collections. They allow you to browse through great works of art, photography, scientific discoveries, and historical artifacts, all from home! We recommend this activity for a rainy day. If you have access to a projector, put the pieces on the big screen and turn your living room into an art exhibit! The Smith-Mcdowell House Museum has great resources on Western NC, and you can learn all about the natural world with the North Carolina Museum of Science! DigitalNC is a great start for general searches and for art lovers, the North Carolina Museum of Art has ample material to browse!
Podcasts
Dive deep into topics with podcasts! This format allows you to learn about all kinds of material directly from experts. The Greensboro History Museum provides conversations on events that shaped the city’s history. The North Carolina Museum of History takes you even further back with its Bits of History podcast, and the DNCR has all kinds of audio to enjoy. For those who are seeking to get away from screens, and for the visually impaired, these options can provide an excellent alternative.
Social Media
Interested in learning about a museum or cultural organization but not sure where to start? Social media is one of the best places to discover new opportunities, collections and events. Be sure to share your learning and art experiences on social media and tag the museums and cultural centers that inspire you! Some suggestions to get started include the International Museum of Civil Rights, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and the Airborne and Special Operations Museum
Search for Artifacts
AncientNC is a virtual museum and the product of decades of work by archaeologists in North Carolina. Presented by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it describes 15,000 years of human activity in the state, and even shows where artifacts have been found! This resource provides an excellent starting point to get out on your local trails and start your own dig! NCArchaeology@Home has great resources to get you going! Also check out the Town Creek Indian Mound to learn more about ancient cultures in the region.
Picture Yourself!
Do you love great paintings? Have you ever imagined being in one? Challenge yourself to pick a piece and recreate it using only household items. Get inspired by these creative folks! Once you’ve staged the piece, take a picture, upload it to social media and tag museums (P.S. this is a great activity for kids!). Check out the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, and the North Carolina Museum of Art for inspiration! We’ve included the painting “The Garden Parasol,” to give you a head start.
Virtual Tours
Museums can be intimidating, even from your home! Museums across the world offer virtual tours that have been designed to help you dive deep into a specific topic. This is an excellent way to engage with collections from the comfort of your couch! Some local options include the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Museum of History!
Virtual Field Trips
School’s out, but field trips don’t have to be! Take a look at the NCDCR’s resources on virtual field trips, as well as the North Carolina Art Museum. The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is sure to delight kids, and the North Carolina Zoo offers many resources for distance learners.
Get Creative!
Museums highlight great works and discoveries from around the world. But everyone starts somewhere! Use the wonderful collections here in North Carolina to get inspired. Design a backyard safari based on the Greensboro Science Center! Learn about folk art from the Folk Art Center and then go make some! There are many ways to engage with the material that museums provide to enrich your own creative energy.
Build Community
Through video technology like Zoom and Skype it’s possible to broaden networks even while we are at home. While you engage with museums through the options that we have outlined be sure to reach out to friends and family to share what you’re learning. The North Carolina Museums Council is a great place to start, and archival and digital collections departments can provide guidance on research as well as artistic and historical forums. The North Carolina Council on the Arts is another excellent hub to find like-minded learners and of course, check on the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Share what you’re learning, and enjoy the cultural treasures that we have in North Carolina!
