Art Experience: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Introduction

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world’s most prestigious art museums. It all started in 1866 in Paris, France. People from all over the world, especially Americans, wanted to begin a 'national institution and gallery of art' to allow people to view and learn about art. In 1870, the museum was built in the Dodworth Building on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Later that year, the museum obtained its first few donations and later received many European paintings to add to the collection. The exhibit expanded throughout the rest of the century. The New York news reported The Met as, 'one of the finest in the world, and the only public building in recent years which approaches in dignity and grandeur the museums of the old world' (Smith, 2023). Today, thousands of artworks are being observed in this humongous beautiful museum. Recently, The Metropolitan Museum of Art opened The Met Breuer, which was made for more modern and contemporary art. The Met Breuer allows the guests to view modern art and compare it to the earlier works of art. People can even connect modern artwork to their current lives. It is in honor of the influential architect who designed it that The Metropolitan Museum of Art has named the building The Met Breuer.

Art Experience: The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The museum had so much going on throughout the day. There was a huge variety of artwork throughout the museum. Some examples include paintings, drawings, sculptures, armor, costumes, decorative arts, Renaissance art, musical instruments, prints, antiquities, photography, and modern and contemporary art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art also has the most exhibitions out of all the worldwide art museums. Some of the most popular exhibitions include Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids, Tapestry in the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci, Master Draftsman, and Vincent van Gogh: The Drawings (Johnson, 2022). On top of that, there are many activities for families and children of all ages. This allowed them to have fun while being educated on the artwork. There are workshops, tours, lectures, film showings, and more. In this organization, many efforts were made to make the programs accessible to everyone. The Met has ramps and elevators, to make it accessible to people who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters, canes, crutches, or any other form of mobility assistance. There are some mobility scooters provided at the museum. Plus, service animals, such as a therapy dog, are allowed into the exhibit. Also, the staff would happily assist people to make their way around the museum safely.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

For people who have difficulty hearing, listening devices are provided for the programs. These include headsets and neck loops. American Sign Language with or without voice interpretation can be requested as well for those with hearing problems. Translators would take part in the exhibition and translate the lectures for those who cannot hear well. This way these people can clearly understand what is being talked about and can enjoy the program as much as everyone else. For people who have a hard time seeing, real-time captioning and large-print label booklets are available for some exhibitions and lectures. There are also free audio guide players for visitors who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, or with hearing loss. It is amazing how the staff considers all of these situations for people with disabilities. Looking out for guests is one of the best qualities any place can have. The Metropolitan Museum of Art is an art exhibit located in New York City. It has a huge collection with different kinds of art from around the world. People love to come here to check out the unique masterpieces and learn about them. The visitors like to check out the art, take pictures, and discuss it with others. Many people come with their families, on class trips, and tours. There are also numerous activities for people of all ages to enjoy. This place is one of the most well-known museums in the world.

Personal Reflection

This is a museum everyone should check out. I had so much fun learning about the art and the history behind their creations. The building is beautiful and it is a nice environment to be in. There were so many rooms that had different types of art and artifacts. The gallery is so enormous that spending one full day there would not be enough to see the entire set. Plus, there were a lot of tours and activities going on. It was amazing to see that there was something for everybody to enjoy. I noticed a lot of other visitors gave great compliments to the staff. I did not hear anything negative about the museum. This was a great way to get out over the weekend and enjoy new learning experiences. This museum had a huge connection in my life because I love the arts. The art displayed and their history was very interesting to me. I liked the selections of artwork, analyzing the objects, and learning about how they were created. I was super intrigued when I saw some pieces of art that had to do with music because it is something I am passionate about. A few old-fashioned instruments were in the collection, which was fantastic to look at. Since I was little, I have been going to museums and doing activities that involve the arts. Although going to a museum is never my first choice for a day activity, when I get the chance to go, I am glad I got to experience something new. This museum, along with the arts, is special to me since I grew up with it.

Historical Context

Most of the art in the museum was created a long time ago and there was a lot of history behind them. Most of the masterpieces were designed in the 18th or 19th century. There were different categories based on time in history, artist, location, or type of art. Some of these included the Renaissance, Egypt, Michelangelo, armor, sculptures, and so much more. Therefore, the museum had multiple themes, but they all are similar in some way. This exhibit, as well as its content, was accessible to all people. There were always several activities, for people of all ages, to participate in. Everyone had a chance to do something they like to do, with people of similar ages, and learn something of value. Even people who have health conditions were able to find a way to make their trip exciting. Like mentioned earlier, no matter what disabilities people may have, getting around the museum is very simple. Many accommodations were made for these people, so they can participate in the activities. The staff provides many helpful tools for free and always finds a way to make the day fun for everybody.

Application in Education

I could incorporate this exhibit into my teaching by showing students art from the 18th and 19th century and how it differs from art today. The students will learn how there are many ways to make art and how people view them. I could also take students on a field trip to the museum so they can see what art looked like a long time ago. It would be nice for the students to take a break from the classroom and explore new things. After researching about this exhibit’s accessibility, I can come up with accommodations for my classroom, for those who need to be accommodated for. It is something I need to do for my classes. This all can be beneficial particularly when introducing students to new technologies and ways of presenting, organizing, and collaborating with others with what they know is truly exciting and invigorating (Adams, 2021).

References

Adams, J. (2021). The Role of Art Museums in Education: An Exploration of Accessibility and Learning Opportunities. New York: Art Education Press.

Johnson, R. (2022). Exhibitions at The Met: A Comprehensive Guide. New York: Museum Publications.

Smith, L. (2023). The Metropolitan Museum of Art: A Historical Perspective. New York: Heritage Press.