What would a painting by a celebrated artist smell, sound or taste like? For too long, museums were strictly ‘look and don’t touch’, but curators are now putting visitors’ senses and emotions at the heart of their exhibitions – all while providing a slick backdrop for an Instagram update.

The meteoric rise in digital media and handheld technology has prompted how artists explore and use technology as a new medium to create engaging digital works of art. Using everything from AR and VR to GIFs, holograms and AI to algorithms and code, artists are expanding what consumers consider ‘art’ to be.

Italy’s minister of culture announced that the monthly free-entry Sunday at museums and cultural sites will end after summer 2018. As access to cultural institutions can still be intimidating to some people, organisations have the opportunity to make art more inclusive.

Although online art sales are on the rise, potential buyers may struggle to judge the fit or suitability of a piece remotely. Artsy’s AR app counteracts this problem by allowing people to virtually experience what a painting would look like in their homes, giving them the confidence to make a purchase.