ArtStart is the National Gallery's multimedia system that allows you to search the collection and helps you plan your visit. I strongly recommend starting your visit to the National Gallery with a short time getting to know your way around on the ArtStart system. It offers lots of themed tours and even allows you to choose ten paintings you would most like to see and then prints a map of where they are in the Gallery! On the front screen there is an I've got one hour option which offers a great introduction to the National Gallery.
ArtStart gives you information on every painting in the National Gallery's extensive collection. It is well-written so you do not need to be an art expert to understand. Nor do you have to be good with technology; ArtStart is a touch screen system so there's no mouse to use and it is well-designed so you do not need to read instructions - you can just get on with checking what you would like to see.
ArtStart features 30 paintings which are highlights of the National Gallery's collection and gives more in-depth information on these, including video and audio clips. (These 30 paintings are also on the free paper floorplan available at the Information Desks in six languages).
ArtStart Locations
- Espresso bar and multimedia room (my favorite hang out!) - visitors can browse the collection at their leisure over a coffee (Level 0, East Wing)
- Sainsbury Wing - Level 1, next to the National Dining Rooms restaurant
- Two screens in the Sainsbury Wing foyer
- Two screens on the link between the Sainsbury Wing and the main building - Level 2
