Free Art Books from The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Art Lovers Rejoice: 

the Metropolitan Museum of Art has FREE art books to download

Met Publications offers five decades of Met publications on art history, available to read, download and/or search for free. Launched in 2012, Met Publications continually adds to their collection of free online books.

Every year The Met produces stunning art catalogues to promote their exhibitions: but if you don't live in New York City, and can't continuously purchase the many wonderful art catalogues, that art goes unseen. Now, art catalogues as well as other art books that are out of publication and readily available to the public through The Met's free download program. Virtual museum tours are a wonderful opportunity for armchair travel to some of the world's outstanding museums, the Met's online art books allow you to continue your virtual art education.

Met Publications books can be read online, or downloaded as a PDF. Each available art book lists:

• book title
• author
• description
• year released
• book cover image

Some of the titles available for download are:

Christian Dior by Richard Martin and Harold Koda (1996)

La Belle Epoque by Philippe Julian and Diana Vreeland

Masterpieces of the Metropolitan Museum of Art by Barbara Burn (2006)

Ancient Egyptian Jewelry by Ambrose Lansing (1940)

Note: The Met also has over 400,000 free art images online for you to download.

à la prochaine,

Shirley

Three Unexpected Places to See Original Art

Typically the first place people think of to see original works of art is a museum. Today, many communities, nonprofit organizations and businesses appreciate the value of public art and invest time and money in making art available to everyone.

Public art is art work that is displayed in public spaces, available to all at no charge.

Here are 3 places to view art for free that might surprise you:

1.  Airports

Philadelphia International
Art at the Airport

Many airports display art from local museums, community artists or private collections in the airport terminals. Most often, we rush through the airport either to make our flight or retrieve our bags and leave. As air travel layovers have increased, airports are forced to find ways to entertain a restless public with too much free time while waiting at the airport.

Airports with art on display include:

• Philadelphia International Airport
• Reagan National Airport 
• Atlanta Airport
• Vancouver International Airport
• Helsinki Airport

Next time you're rushing through the airport, slow down and and see what's on display!

2.  Community Colleges

Local community colleges are frequently trying to attract the public onto their campus, typically as part of a long-term strategy to build awareness to grow enrollment. Many community colleges feature art exhibits by students, community artists, or traveling art exhibits.

Frequently art exhibits at community colleges are accompanied by educational activities including: 

• artist talks 
• receptions and meet and greets
• special lectures and events

3.  Public Libraries

NYPL Art Exhibits are Held at 92 locations

Many public libraries offer art exhibits, and special programs to introduce the exhibit to the community. Public libraries that have built a strong reputation for the art exhibits include

• New York Public Library
• Denver Public Library
• Chicago Public Library
• Boston Public Library
• Los Angeles Public Library

tip: Many public libraries lend art, just as they lend books or DVDs. You can display a new artwork on your wall every month!

Art exhibits are offered free at many public venues all over the world - and probably in your community! Visit an exhibit today - and I encourage you to take a child, and introduce him or her to a lifetime appreciation of art.

a la prochaine,

Shirley