Art Thu Apr 01 2010

Friending Museums on Facebook: Features, Benefits and Community

By John Lendman

Facebook isn't just a way to keep up with friends' breakups, makeups and favorite 30 Rock quotes anymore--many businesses and organizations are finding this ever-changing social network to be a great way to more intimately and conversationally connect with their devotees.

If art galleries were looking for a closer way to connect with the public, a Facebook page is like placing their own personal cork board in every coffee shop in the city.

Here are some examples of that connection and why you should be their "friends."

The Art Institute of Chicago (35,271 fans)

Interviews with various curators leading fans through new collections; updates to their ARTicle blog; schedules of guest speakers; travel arrangements for out-of-towners and photo uploads from patrons are just a few of the features the Art Institute will have pop-up on your feed, sporadically of course. If you delve deeper in their profile you'll find their most recent hours, various social media sites (from Flickr to YouTube), links to new exhibits and a pretty phenomenal photo gallery.

Museum of Contemporary Art (9,684 fans)

Similar to the Art Institute, the Museum of Contemporary Art features new exhibits; photos and videos of shows from the gallery walls to the MCA Stage; fans leaving testimonials; and listing of in-house events. But it's how they engage their fans that make them most dynamic: Chances to win free tickets to shows after leaving comments, exclusive prices for Facebook fans, links to reviews, current happenings of their First Fridays, and random activity updates.

Hyde Park Art Center (503 fans)

This free admission, South Side museum has always impressed me with its enthusiastic, budding outreaches--especially since it's boasted as the oldest alternative contemporary art venue in the city. Luckily, their Facebook page is no different. While offering snapshots (in notes and literally) into their classrooms and exhibit spaces, the Art Center shares calls for submissions, info on lectures and classes, as well as poetry reading and discussion dates. There's definitely a community in constant creation here and it's quite apparent--and inspiring.

The Renaissance Society (The University of Chicago) (1,191 fans)

The Renaissance Society's site is sophisticated with an elegant approach to bringing rarities to the Midwest art scene, so, much like their overall demeanor, The Society's Facebook page is succinct and to-the-point. But don't think you won't be let in on their gallery talks and curator-led exhibitions. Also, reading reviews of their current shows from New City to TimeOut published in their news feed, helps offer an objective look. Another fan page sharing the art scene happenings at the University of Chicago is UChicago Arts. Here you'll find updates from across the campus and beyond.

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art (1,541 fans)

Aside from posting updates to their distinctive "outsider art" exhibits, this site has always had an indie, folk art feel. In keeping with that self-taught aesthetic, Intuit posts about their Hands-on Workshops (based on current shows), local reviews of those shows, guest lecture schedules, tours, and interesting musings found from a range of art blogs.

These, of course, are just a few examples of Facebook fan pages. Maybe you have a favorite Chicago museum or art gallery you follow. So, please share it with us.