App Review: MOMA Art Lab

MOMA has announced the release of a new app Art Lab, this one for kids. I love their Abstract Expressionist AB EX NY offering. They have done a good job online for years making their exhibitions and collection available to everyone, not just those who can visit the museum.

How does Art Lab compare in terms of value, the AB EX NY app is free? Art Lab costs $4.99.

MOMA's new app for kids

On the opening screen Art Lab offers access to three categories of activities on the left side.  The light bulb opens a window with suggested ideas for things to create with geometric shapes or drawing tools. The Go button takes you to the above screen with shapes to place by tapping. Drawing tools are also available.  This is fairly standard fair but it is a little surprising there is no undo function.

Second menu item provides six choices seen above.

Where this app shines is in the integration of image and audio, something I am finding is a big plus for young kids.  Create A Sound Composition pairs a selection of 11 audio files with an Elizabeth Murray painting.  Kids can click on a number to hear the sound and then are invited to drag that sound over a section of the painting. The images stay connected to the art and are played back on touching. Fortunately playing only one at a time.

Elizabeth Murray, Do The Dance

What I especially appreciate about this activity is how it engages the viewer with the painting.  It's easy to appreciate this lively work of art, but not spend the amount of time carefully investigating it that is required to add 11 sound effects to the work.

Create a collage used the iPads shaking functionality. Something I'm pretty sure I would not encourage a young child to do with my iPad...that's just me. There is an optional button that does the shaking for you.


Jean Arp, Henri Matisse, Jim Lambie, Brice Marden and a composite image from seven French artists are the works of art featured in this app. I would certainly expect/like to see many more images available for these activities. I do wonder if as they update they will either swap out images or add more.


In terms of value it pales in comparison to the AB EX NY.  Obviously a very different audience. It will be interesting to see how it will be updated.