ArtLens Reimagined

AI has been used at the CMA since 2012. In 2026, this technology is even more capable of creating innovative experiences for visitors when used responsibly. We endeavor to use AI to invite curiosity and create new pathways into the collection, while preserving the human elements at the center of the museum experience. Some of the interactives in this gallery use AI as a thoughtful, mission‑aligned tool to enhance access to, understanding of, and engagement with our collection, while honoring the creativity, scholarship, and lived experiences that define the museum. AI is not a replacement for human expertise; rather, it is one of many technologies we use in service of art, audiences, and learning. All AI models run locally within the museum, allowing the CMA to maintain control over computing power, data use, and reliability. Models are trained specifically on the CMA artworks, avoiding the use of external training material that may not have been ethically sourced. This approach ensures responsible AI use while creating meaningful interpretive experiences. 

Alongside the reimagined ArtLens gallery, the ArtLens app is getting a complete refresh. Designed around how visitors explore, learn, and connect at the CMA, the new app is built with a unified codebase for both iOS and Android, strategically integrated within the CMA digital ecosystem to leverage the latest app technologies and to build on what already works. Visitors can explore every artwork on view, save favorite artworks and creations, take museum tours, and locate artworks around them in a dynamic map. Prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity for all users, the app works seamlessly with other built-in accessibility features on users’ devices, enabling visitors who are blind or have low vision to easily navigate both the app and the physical ArtLens interactives using a screen reader. Beginning fall 2026, the app also allows visitors to point their phone camera at any artwork and instantly access artwork information, images, audio, and videos. Additionally, any artwork on view can be saved to create personalized tours.

Across ArtLens and the rest of the museum, a flexible, integrated, API-driven backend makes us incredibly agile. For over a decade, the digital innovation team has constantly worked on improving our digital asset management system (DAMS) and home-grown cataloging collection management system (CCMS), as well as adding, combining, and updating the backend applications that interact with these fundamental systems. 

Through iteration, the CMA has more possibilities for our data and assets. We have established a standardized, well-documented development environment, including a master application programming interface used for integrating all artwork, artist/creator, and location information, a common framework for defining and testing the content structure and staff workbenches needed to manage both existing and new interactives, a consolidated content delivery network platform for digital assets for all interactives (ArtLens Gallery, Collection Online, open access API, or any future interactives) for ease of management and troubleshooting, and a single method for connecting interactives to user devices for favorites and saving of user-generated content. The DAMS ingests artwork images and automatically creates all derivative sizes used for various applications and interactives. When a new or updated image is ingested and processed, the DAMS messages the CCMS in real time so that the artwork thumbnail can be updated, and the record timestamp can reflect the change to update other systems. The custom-built CCMS pulls live content, writes it once, and then updates it everywhere, making any artwork information or interpretive content immediately accessible in all digital interactives. This system also includes our visual descriptions, which are available for the entire collection.

The development of ArtLens Gallery, led by digital innovation, represents a true multidisciplinary project involving all areas of the museum, including collaboration with design, curatorial, public education and academic affairs, and collections at the Cleveland Museum of Art. Digital innovation staff leads all digital components from concept through development and implementation and on-going support and worked closely with world-class partners, including Design IO (lead interactive design, with Art Morph and Look Closer interactives developed in collaboration with Dpt.), Prime Access Consulting (accessibility and inclusive design consulting), Dome (app design and development), Zenith Systems (AV integration), Harvard FAS CAMLab (Sacred Sites Revisited content partner).