PBS Arts Website Beta Critiqued for Poor Navigation and Limited Content Access

A critical review of PBS's beta arts website reveals significant usability issues and content limitations. The homepage features a collection of video clips under the title "Ruin & Revival" focusing on post-Katrina New Orleans, including a Tavis Smiley interview with Branford Marsalis labeled as a curated exhibition, though no curator is identified. Navigation proves frustrating with broken links like "Craft in America" leading to error pages and menu items providing minimal guidance. The visual art section displays still images from Art in the Twenty-First Century without direct links to full episodes, forcing users to search separately. The PROGRAMS A-Z section includes only three arts-related shows among eight popular icons, with arts content buried in alphabetical listings without special designation. Attempts to access specific content like "Thomas Eakins: Scenes from Modern Life" and "Power of Art" yield promotional material or forbidden access errors, while "Hans Hofmann: Artist/Teacher, Teacher/Artist" directs to purchase options rather than viewable content. Despite the clumsy interface, Art in the Twenty-First Century remains accessible through multiple clicks, offering Seasons 1-5 with educational value about contemporary artists' working methods. The website's archive structure and design choices, including small white text on black backgrounds and repetitive video placements, contribute to an overall user-unfriendly experience.