“The portal will enable users to take part in workshops.”
Pier Mario Vello, Secretary General of the Cariplo Foundation, talks about the background to Italy’s first online art collection.
Who developed the idea of opening a virtual museum?
Until now, over 1000 works of art that the Foundation (and before us the regional bank) has owned since the 19th century were hidden from public view. Investing tens of millions in the construction of a brick-and-mortar museum would not be very economical. So we decided on an innovative, technological way of displaying around 750 artworks and 125 artist profiles.
Until now, over 1000 works of art that the Foundation (and before us the regional bank) has owned since the 19th century were hidden from public view. Investing tens of millions in the construction of a brick-and-mortar museum would not be very economical. So we decided on an innovative, technological way of displaying around 750 artworks and 125 artist profiles.
How did you select T-Systems as the ICT partner for Artgate?
We had worked with T-Systems in the past. They supported us by updating our IT infrastructure and helping us to streamline the way we work. We chose T-Systems for the Artgate project after they came out top of the seven providers who bid for the contract.
We had worked with T-Systems in the past. They supported us by updating our IT infrastructure and helping us to streamline the way we work. We chose T-Systems for the Artgate project after they came out top of the seven providers who bid for the contract.
How has the portal been received since it went live?
It started off a little slowly but now it’s very popular and we’ve received very positive feedback. Key users of our Website include teachers and students.
It started off a little slowly but now it’s very popular and we’ve received very positive feedback. Key users of our Website include teachers and students.
What plans do you have for extending the online offering?
We’ve had inquiries from other institutions that would like to present their collections in the same way. These include Maggiore hospital foundation in Milan. At the moment, we’re still considering how best to proceed with these inquiries. But we are definitely going to expand. Artgate is also being used to search for Italian art that is in some way connected to our collection. And we’re breaking new ground with ArtL@b – a project that will enable users to take part in virtual art workshops by the end of this year.
We’ve had inquiries from other institutions that would like to present their collections in the same way. These include Maggiore hospital foundation in Milan. At the moment, we’re still considering how best to proceed with these inquiries. But we are definitely going to expand. Artgate is also being used to search for Italian art that is in some way connected to our collection. And we’re breaking new ground with ArtL@b – a project that will enable users to take part in virtual art workshops by the end of this year.
