Featuring archival material dating back to 1985
The MIT List Visual Arts Center is thrilled to unveil a refreshed brand identity and a new website housing a robust digital archive with materials dating back to our opening in 1985 and designed with the best practices in web accessibility for the visual arts.
When we began this process, we considered how our values could be reflected through our website and serve audiences across the globe. The word “artist-centric” entered nearly every conversation. In turn, you’ll find a platform that is designed to put art and scholarship at the center of the viewing experience.
This priority is best exemplified by the addition of our Exhibiting Artist Index where you can browse over 800 artists the List Center has presented since its founding in 1985. Along with the index, viewers can explore an Exhibition Archive which holds newly digitized photographs, videos, educational texts, and other related media dating back to the List Center’s earliest years.
As we did this work, web accessibility was considered every step of the way. In addition to utilizing the highest standards in accessible web design, we are pleased to share that our new website includes descriptive, screen-reader enabled alt texts for every archival image written by members of the List Center team. This resource is a feat among our museum peers that will make our archives more accessible to viewers with a range of vision abilities.
The launch of this platform coincides with Paul Ha’s 10th anniversary serving as Director at the List Center. He shares, “As you explore these archives, you’ll see that just like all of the other labs here at MIT, the List Center has been acting as a lab for contemporary art that pushes boundaries within our field for 37 years.”
A frictionless user experience invites site visitors to find an upcoming exhibition or event quickly, while equally supporting those visitors who want to dive deep into the List Center’s archives. Spearheaded by Moth Design and Technivant, the design intent is a “less is more” approach, with color, type, and graphics always serving to support, and never distract from, the artwork on the site. An improved navigation structure, search experience, and site flow combine to make the List Center’s web experience on par with that of the experience inside our galleries.
Support
This project received funding from Philip S. Khoury, Associate Provost at MIT along with additional support from the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences as well as from Advisory Committee member, Idee German Schoenheimer.
General operating support is provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the Council for the Arts at MIT; Philip S. Khoury, Associate Provost at MIT; the MIT School of Architecture + Planning; the Mass Cultural Council; and many generous individual donors.
About the List Center
The List Visual Arts Center, MIT’s contemporary art museum, collects, commissions, and presents rigorous, provocative, and artist-centric projects that engage MIT and the global art community.
The List Center galleries, programs, and public art collection are always free and open to all.
MIT List Visual Arts Center
20 Ames Street, Bldg. E15
Cambridge, MA 02139
