Most museums suggest that visitors switch off their cell phones when entering. At the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, cell phone use is not only permitted, but encouraged.
With the installment of cell phone-friendly tours, the museum is proving that the arts and technology can coexist.
“Generations ago, visitors could listen to a tour via a cassette tape, which really kept things linear,” said Michael Botwinick, director of the Hudson River Museum. “Turn left, turn right ”¦ it told you where to go and what to look at. Nowadays, cell phones are quite ubiquitous and can be a source of educational and cultural information for a new generation.”
At any given time, the museum provides one set of displays that are cell phone-compatible. Visitors dial a number and enter the four-digit code provided on mini plaques positioned on designated exhibit displays.
They are then provided with detailed information about that particular display, be it historical background information or a firsthand account from a featured artist. According to Botwinick, the clips are typically around 30 to 40 seconds per call.
“For those who wish to learn more and who like an interactive experience, it”™s a great thing,” Botwinick said. “It increases accessibility because you can listen to the tour once you go home, if you should wish to do so. You don’t have to capture and retain any information on the spot.”
This technological evolution is attracting outside attention. The AT&T Foundation, a San Antonio-based branch of AT&T Inc. just donated a $10,000 grant to the Hudson River Museum.
Ellen Webner of AT&T Mobility in Parsippany, N.J. said, “The AT&T Foundation invests in programs that incorporate wireless technology. Grants were awarded to organizations to help integrate wireless communications technology into educational outreach projects designed to encourage youth and adults in lifelong learning.”
According to Webner, organizations rewarded were required to have a particular focus on underserved populations, including racial and ethnic groups, low-income populations, seniors, youth and those with disabilities.
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The Hudson River Museum is doing just that. “We’re really seeking to appeal to all ages and races,” Botwinick said. “The dividing line in our programs is generational and while we do see a lot more young people utilizing the cell phone tour, we do have programs for seniors.”
In addition to programs each week designed for seniors, the Glenview Mansion at the museum will host bilingual exhibits this fall, incorporating cell phone interactivity. Visitors will be able to leave comments via their cell phones after viewing displays, Botwinick said.
The museum utilizes the services of Guide By Cell, a digital audio tour translation company based in San Francisco. “We record miscellaneous digital audio files, ship them to California and they program the files into our system,” Botwinick said.
With tech-friendly features and a recent reward by the AT&T Foundation, it would appear that the museum was on a digitally driven roll.
“We’re starting out slowly and trying to do this right,” Botwinick said. “We never thought of this as a mass-market device, but rather, a way to make art more accessible. We wanted to use technology in new ways ”¦ that was our driving force.”
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