It’s that time of year! Resource sharing time!

Image from the FrickCollection courtesy of The Google Art Project

Like any budding new Librarian, when I find a resource I love, new or old, I can’t wait to share it with everyone. This is especially true for the resource I’m featuring today, The Google Art Project.

Now before all the information professionals in the room throw their virtual sensible shoes at my head, hear me out. Despite your rumblings about Google and their devious plans to take over the world, you have to admit, this project is absolutely remarkable. It’s beyond that…it’s expansive, unique, educational, and most importantly it’s completely FREE!

The Google ArtProject is a collaborative project between Google and art partners from across 40 countries. In an effort to bring the world of art to your virtual neighborhood, museums, private donors, and art collectors have graciously digitized many items in their collections and made them available online in one place.

Users can explore at “brushstroke level detail” over 30,000 pieces of artwork, sculptures, architecture and drawings from famous museums around the world.  Never have I seen on such a grand scale, an online gallery effort to this extent that is freely available to the public. Not only can users view the artwork, up-close and personal, they can also take virtual tours of the museums, and even build their own collections to share with others. Some featured museums include The Met and the Frick Collection in New York City, Musee d’Orsay in Paris, and el Museo Frida Kahlo in Mexico City. Viewers can even explore museums in less commonly traveled paradises like Indonesia, Serbia, Qatar, and Latvia. It’s absolutely splendid!

“Few people will ever be lucky enough to visit every museum or to see every work of art they’re interested in.” -Google

Well, here’s your chance to experience the art of the world. Don’t miss out.

Access the Google Art Project here

Read the description and other FAQs here

And as always, “educate, communicate, and collaborate your way to a better tomorrow”

-Black Librarian