March 18, 2004
CONTACT: Julie Limpach
(216) 707-2261
jlimpach@clevelandart.org
CLEVELAND (March 18, 2004) - The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) now offers its visitors free wireless Internet access in designated Museum locations, helping to extend the Internet access that makes University Circle and Wade Oval Park among the largest free public Internet "hot spots" in the nation. Admission to the Museum is always free.
Inside CMA, free wireless Internet service is now available in: the North Lobby, the Museum Cafe, Ingalls Library, the Interior Garden Court, Outdoor Courtyard, the Lower Education Classroom Level (including the Oasis, Recital and Lecture Halls) and Teacher Resource Center.
Museum Chief Information Officer Leonard Steinbach says, "This is just one more way in which we are using technology to help make the Museum "visitor friendly" in every possible way. E-mail and Internet access are as important as the cell phone to families, youth and business people alike. We love the idea of kids instant messaging their friends about what they just saw here, students accessing class notes while they are studying here and families planning what they want to see by checking out our web site. Imagine business people in the area discovering that the Museum is a great place to take a break -they can feed their bodies at our Cafe, their souls in our galleries and their need to keep in touch with the office and clients through our Internet access!"
The availability of wireless access inside the Museum reflects the Museum's ongoing partnership with Case Western Reserve University, OneCleveland, The Third Frontier, the Strategic Technology Alliance and other projects and institutions to further the use of advanced telecommunications throughout the Cleveland area. The Museum recognizes that this type of environment can help attract, engage and retain the kind of creative and technology-savvy community that is vital to Cleveland's economic resurgence and the thriving of its cultural institutions. The Museum was instrumental in providing WiFi coverage of Wade Oval Park through the installation of a major antenna on its roof.
Vice President, Information Technology Services at Case Western Reserve University Lev S. Gonick, Ph.D., says, "The blending of art and culture with technology and innovation is one of the signatures of the collaboration between the CMA and Case embodied in the OneCleveland initiative. Wireless services at the CMA will attract new patrons, sustain existing supporters and will serve as a potential source for new innovative programming opportunities for the Museum."
To use the wireless network, CMA visitors must have a laptop or hand held device that has a built in wireless network (WiFi) adapter. There are no special codes or login required in receiving free access to the CMA, University Circle, or Case Western Reserve wireless networks. The information needed to obtain access will automatically be sent to visitor's Wi-Fi card by the wireless network.
Lap top computers are permitted in the Museum; however, large carrying cases may need to be checked in at our free Coat Check in the North Lobby before venturing into certain Museum's areas.
The Cleveland Museum of Art receives operating support from the Ohio Arts Council.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of America's leading comprehensive museums. Its permanent collection is world renowned for its quality and breadth, spanning 6,000 years. The Museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship and art acquisitions. For more information on the Museum, its holdings, programs, services and events, call 1-888-CMA-0033 or visit www.ClevelandArt.org
Posted by admin at 11:29 AM
