TakeItArtside! App Update Brings Special Events to Smartphone Users
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 13, 2012) − TakeItArtside! is announcing a new update for both the iPhone and Android platforms. This release includes a new filter, which allows for the incorporation of a wide range of cultural assets: public art, historic homes, museums, galleries, studios and archeological sites across the state.
In addition, TakeItArtside! can now publish special events for any of the sites listed in the database. If there is a gallery opening, the dedication of a new work of public art, a museum event, or historic home tour, users of the app will be notified on the day of the event. By clicking on the home page announcement, the app will direct them to specific site locations and more detailed information.
"From its inception this project has been about collaboration, the Department of Art at UK, the Gaines Center for the Humanities, Georgetown College, Transylvania University, Lexington Art League, LexVC, and artwithoutwalls have all worked to help us build a continually expanding database of cultural assets across the state. While we have more work to do, this new filter offers some exciting new options and partnerships," said Christine Huskisson, co-inventor of the app and member of the faculty at the UK Department of Art.
"We are particularly proud to announce our newest partnership with LexArts. LexArts has helped us build a special events page for Gallery Hop that will be available for the first hop of the season on Feb. 17, 2012."
Giving credit where due, this idea was the brainchild of Sarah Piester, former student/TakeItArtside! team member and now director of community relations and special events for the Lexington Legends. "The recent inclusion of galleries and studios into the app was an eye-opener and as I was a communications associate for LexArts at the time, I got to thinking," Piester said. "I suggested LexArts take a look at the option to partner with the app - afterall, a good deal of time and money has gone into the making of this app and why try to duplicate efforts? It just made sense for LexArts to reach an audience who is already tuning into the art scene through mobile devices. I hope others will follow LexArts’ lead and contact the TakeItArtside! team soon about publishing their events."
TakeItArtside! is a free product of the Kentucky Museum Without Walls Project, a statewide collaboration initiated by UK's Department of Art and Gaines Center for the Humanities. Those interested in submitting an event can contact the app's administrators at projectteam@kentuckymuseumwithoutwalls.com. For more information on the app itself, visit www.kentuckymuseumwithoutwalls.com/iphone-application.
The UK Department of Art, at the UK College of Fine Arts, is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of art studio, art history and art education.
Founded in 1984 by a generous gift from John and Joan Gaines, the Gaines Center for the Humanities functions as a laboratory for imaginative and innovative education on UK's campus. Devoted to cultivating an appreciation of the humanities in its students and faculty, the center embraces varied paths of knowledge, and particularly strives to integrate creative work with traditional academic learning. The Gaines Center sponsors an array of public events that bring the rich and varied resources of the Lexington community and UK together.
To see a video on the TakeItArtside app, visit http://youtu.be/7bnyhWHhaLM.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-8716 or whitney.hale@uky.edu