Jan

Do it for the ‘gram: Exploring Smithsonian augmented reality on Instagram Stories

Bring the Smithsonian into your home! Our museums may be temporarily closed, but you can now interact with our collections—and share them with friends—through our new Instagram effects!

The Smithsonian is proud to announce a collaboration between five of its museums, the Digitization Program Office, and Facebook to create augmented reality (AR) effects for ten iconic objects.

Why is AR + social so powerful?

Users can bring Smithsonian objects into their backyard or living room, learn facts about them, and share photos and videos with their friends through Instagram Stories, Reels, and in their Instagram feed.

AR allows us to reach people where they are, whenever they like.
AR offers a personal and immersive experience in their own spaces. Explore these objects up close and from angles not available in our museums.

Compare the mammoth to your dog with your back facing camera, and then BE the mammoth using selfie mode.

Dance around your living room with platform boots worn by The Wiz in “The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical ‘Wonderful Wizard of Oz'” on Broadway!

Sit with Space Shuttle Discovery on your couch and hear it blast off.

Pick an outfit to wear with a green velveteen hat designed by the legendary Vanilla Beane.

Inspired to take it a step further? Check out this link from the Smithsonian Digitization Program Office.