Just say, “Alexa, open Art Museum”

I’m sure you’re missing a lot of the same things I am right now—theater, travel, concerts, museums, almost everything arts & culture.

Alexa’s latest skill brings a taste of the arts to you. Art Museum, produced by the Art Institute of Chicago, brings classic paintings and sculptures to your Echo Show (or Alexa-enabled Fire TV). The Institute’s curators and experts even tell you about the history and meaning behind each piece.

It’s no surprise the skill just won the Alexa Conversations Skill Challenge! It’s a really good skill — and timely, too!

How to tour a museum from your couch

When you say “Alexa, open Art Museum” to your Echo Show, you’ll get a look at the exterior of the Art Institute.

Alexa will prompt you to ask for a certain genre (i.e. “Show me French paintings” or “Show me sculptures”). Then she’ll show you a piece of art and let the experts tell you all about it.

Afterward, you can follow her prompt to see more in that vein, or switch to a new art style.

Pro Tip 

For now, you can only access the collection via style and country of origin, not by asking for a particular artist. But the Art Institute’s collection includes many favorites, including Monet, Gauguin, O’Keefe and more.