ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Digital Immunity: How US East Coast Museums, Galleries, and Auction Houses Embraced Digitalization During COVID-19

digital · 2026-04-27

The COVID-19 pandemic hastened the shift towards digital platforms in the art scene on the US East Coast. In April 2020, the Guggenheim Museum introduced Sketch with Jeff and teamed up with Bard Graduate Center for Art Detectives. The Metropolitan Museum of Art partnered with Verizon to create The Met Unframed in January 2021. Sotheby's conducted the May Day Covid-19 Charity Auction in May 2020, supported by Google. Art Basel combined its Basel, Hong Kong, and Miami editions into a unified online event. Both Frieze New York and the Armory Show transitioned to online formats. In May 2020, NADA unveiled FAIR, while David Zwirner launched Platform: New York in April 2020. This article is part of IULM University students' Digital Museum Lab project.

Key facts

  • Guggenheim Museum launched Sketch with Jeff in April 2020, a cartoon-like program for children.
  • Guggenheim collaborated with Bard Graduate Center on Art Detectives, a four-week remote course for teens.
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art partnered with Verizon for The Met Unframed in January 2021, a five-week AR experience.
  • Sotheby's held May Day Covid-19 Charity Auction in May 2020 with Google, supporting the Rescue Committee.
  • Art Basel merged Basel, Hong Kong, and Miami editions into a single online event with OVR:2020 and OVR:20c.
  • Frieze New York and the Armory Show moved online.
  • NADA launched FAIR in May 2020, an online cooperative fair platform.
  • David Zwirner launched Platform: New York in April 2020, supporting small and mid-sized galleries.
  • The article is part of the Digital Museum Lab project by IULM University students.
  • Project coordinated by Prof. Vincenzo Trione, with Camilla Balbi, Anna Calise, Anna Cuomo, Vincenzo Di Rosa, Margherita Fontana, Alessandra Sturiano.

Entities

Artists

  • Jeff Hopkins

Institutions

  • Guggenheim Museum
  • Bard Graduate Center
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • Verizon
  • Sotheby's
  • Google
  • Rescue Committee
  • Art Basel
  • Frieze New York
  • Armory Show
  • NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance)
  • David Zwirner
  • IULM University
  • Digital Museum Lab
  • Artribune

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • East Coast
  • Basel
  • Hong Kong
  • Miami

Sources