Barnes Foundation Launches Penn Museum Classes This Fall

Expanding Access to Art and Education Through Technology

Philadelphia’s Barnes Foundation is taking a significant step forward in the realm of online education by partnering with the Penn Museum. This collaboration marks an expansion of the Visual Experience Platform (VXP), a digital tool designed to enhance learning experiences for students and adults alike.

The VXP was initially developed by the Barnes to provide interactive educational content focused on visual materials. Now, it will serve as a platform for the Penn Museum's "Deep Dig" classes and the virtual lecture series "Archaeology in Action." This partnership aims to bring together two esteemed institutions to offer enriched learning opportunities through technology.

On the VXP, participants can engage with high-resolution digital images that allow them to zoom in on details not always visible in person. This feature facilitates a deeper exploration of art and archaeology. Additionally, the platform offers a 360-degree view of museum galleries and a searchable library of past classes, making it a comprehensive resource for learners.

Prior to this partnership, the Barnes had already been utilizing the VXP for its live and on-demand online classes, as well as educational programs. Each class includes approximately five videos, each around 10 minutes long, enabling students to interact with the surface of digital images. This approach allows for a more engaging and immersive learning experience.

The VXP also features a collection of interactive, multilingual videos that connect specific topics with curriculum content from the museum’s collection. These resources are available for free to students in grades two through ten. Topics include pigments and processes for grades five through eight, illustrations for grades two through four, and Spanish and French language learning for grades seven through ten, accompanied by relevant worksheets.

In addition to these offerings, the Barnes has introduced an art integration lesson for teachers. This initiative provides guidance on how to use artworks to support learning across various curriculum areas, further broadening the educational impact of the platform.

Thom Collins, the Barnes's executive director and president, emphasized the importance of the VXP in delivering meaningful educational experiences about art and visual media. He noted that the platform was developed in response to the need for a specialized tool to study visual media effectively, especially during the shift to online learning in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Since its launch in January 2023, the VXP has enrolled nearly 4,600 students in over 110 online classes, with 14 percent of students receiving scholarships. Collins highlighted that the VXP is unique in offering a truly interactive experience for the online study of art and visual media. It enhances the in-person experience by using technology to explore art in ways that are not possible in a physical setting.

The Penn Museum is the first institution to license the VXP for its own cultural and educational courses and lectures, set to launch in October and November. Members of the Barnes will receive $50 off of the classes, and Penn Museum members will also be eligible for the same discount for online classes offered by the Barnes.

Christopher Woods, director of the Penn Museum, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that it aligns with their mission to make archaeology and anthropology accessible to all. The collaboration strengthens the online learning experience for audiences and amplifies stories of shared humanity.

Will Cary, chief operating officer of the Barnes, added that licensing the software to other organizations is a crucial step in achieving broader educational goals, especially during a time when funding for art and education programs is being reduced in the United States. Communities of color have been particularly affected by these cuts.

This partnership between the Barnes Foundation and the Penn Museum represents a significant milestone in the evolution of online education, offering innovative tools and resources to a wider audience. As both institutions continue to expand their reach, they are helping to ensure that the study of art and archaeology remains accessible and engaging for all learners.