Abstract

The University Galleries at Texas State University – San Marcos have limited visibility within the campus environment and the local community. Because its location on campus is not central to daily activity, students, faculty and staff are not aware of the diverse exhibition programming. Consequently, the gallery is met with the challenge of attracting members of the community while keeping with its goals: develop context, usability and understanding of contemporary art; enrich the educational experience; and promote the gallery within the university, local and regional community. One way the galleries can gain exposure among campus and city communities is through the use of mobile websites and social media, introduced to the public by Quick Response (QR) codes placed in locations where people gather. The gallery exhibition chosen for this pilot program is: "Right to Assemble" featuring the works of Box 13 artists’ collective from Houston, Texas. To drive the campus community to the exhibition, QR codes will be placed in locations around campus: buses, newspaper, and outdoor public assembly spaces. After scanning the QR code with a smart phone, information about the viewer’s current location, and a map directing the viewer to the galleries will be provided. Within the Gallery, a QR code next to the artwork will provide additional didactics and exclusive content about specific works, opportunities to exchange thoughts on the works with other visitors on Twitter and Facebook (online venues for free speech used byparticipants of the Orange Revolution, etc.).