Visual Experience Platform—Art Learning at the Barnes

The Barnes Foundation is setting a new standard for digital arts education with its groundbreaking “Visual Experience Platform” (VXP). First launched in 2023, the platform has now been expanded in a powerful new partnership with the Penn Museum. As the first institution to license the VXP, the Penn Museum will begin hosting its acclaimed “Deep Dig” and “Archaeology in Action” lecture series on the Visual Experience Platform starting in fall 2025.

Visual Experience Platform Elevates Online Learning

Unlike traditional screen-sharing formats, the Visual Experience Platform was engineered specifically for the study of visual material. It offers students an unparalleled interactive experience, allowing them to zoom in on artworks, explore surface textures, and analyze details that often elude even in-person viewings. With features like 360-degree gallery views, synchronous and asynchronous class options, and a searchable library of prior courses, the platform enhances accessibility, flexibility, and deep engagement with art.

Between its January 2023 debut and June 2025, the Visual Experience Platform hosted over 110 classes and enrolled nearly 4,600 students—14% of whom received scholarships. Post-course surveys revealed 91% of students were inspired to continue their learning journey, while 76% noted a significant impact on how they view art.

Rooted in the progressive educational philosophy of John Dewey and Barnes Foundation founder Dr. Albert Barnes, the Visual Experience Platform prioritizes active learning and personal discovery. According to Martha Lucy, deputy director for research and education at the Barnes, “The VXP allows users to explore the work of art independently and get right up close to its surface—to do the kind of close looking and critical thinking that was so important to Dr. Barnes.”

The Barnes currently uses the VXP across its educational programming, from K–12 interactive videos to adult on-demand courses. Recent additions include multilingual content for students in grades 2 through 10, with curriculum-integrated lessons on topics ranging from color pigments to language learning, all enriched by interactive, digital engagement.

Visual Experience Platform to Be Licensed by Other Institutions

To share its success, the Barnes Foundation is now offering the Visual Experience Platform to other cultural and educational institutions. The Penn Museum’s licensing of the software marks a significant milestone. As part of this collaboration, members of each institution will enjoy reciprocal tuition discounts.

“Our goal has always been to expand access to meaningful education through art,” said Will Cary, COO of the Barnes Foundation. “The Visual Experience Platform is a unique solution in the field—designed specifically for the online teaching of visual material—and we are thrilled to license it to organizations that share our mission.”

With its innovative approach and proven impact, the Visual Experience Platform represents the future of online arts education. As more institutions look to engage diverse audiences and expand their digital offerings, the Barnes Foundation’s platform is poised to lead the way.