App of the Week – Google Arts & Culture

Published on August 17, 2017

Looking for something informative and interesting to do this weekend? Ready to be the member of your friend group who’s always got some deep trivia locked and loaded? Then you’re going to want to give Google’s incredible Arts & Culture app a try.

Billing itself as a way to “meet the people, visit the places and learn about the events that shaped our world,” Google Arts & Culture offers a variety of remarkable multimedia features, many of which we’ve never quite seen before.

It sincerely can’t be stressed enough how remarkable the functionality of Arts & Culture is; the app allows users to view and read about some of the greatest pieces of art ever made using a combination of VR and high definition photo viewing. And that art? Users can search for it with any number of criteria, as the app allows you to browse based on time period, location, color palette, and more. Find a piece? Easily save it to your personal collection or share it with friends using the app!

Or, if you’re curious about a painting or sculpture that you stumble upon in the real world, Arts & Culture also has an “Art Recognizer” tool that works a bit like Shazam, allowing you to identify a piece simply by pointing your device’s camera at it. The app also boasts a collection of guided tours through some of the world’s most prestigious museums, and even allows you to keep up-to-date with happenings in the art world, alerting you to nearby cultural events and providing a fun “daily digest” update every time you open the app.

Ready to connect to the exhibits and collections of 1,200 international museums, galleries and institutions from 70 countries – without ever leaving your Chicago apartment? Google Arts & Culture is available as a free download for Android and iOS devices. Happy exploring, art lovers!