Even though the pandemic times seem far in the past, its consequence still finds us in our present. Many industries go through the process of recovery. The traveling sector, which was hit the hardest and experienced a 70% decline in international tourist arrivals in 2020, just started to remain at its pre-pandemic levels.
While Airbnb launches new features for travelers to improve user experience and expand the line of accommodation options, NY-based art startup ARV launches an art map as a new way to explore “uncommon destinations and get to know the local culture.”
ARV has been in the startup arena for 4 years as of 2023. Primarily known for its art matchmaking app and online media. Since 2021 the company has joined the traveling sector with the recent project Czech Art Path (CAP). Digital art map of Czechia connecting artists and galleries from all 13 regions. The map also has a line of features making art exploration easier. The traveler can filter locations by artists, galleries, or distance. As well as get familiar with presented artists through the series of interviews that accompany the project.
Interviews include reflections on Czech Cultural tradition, the path of art formation, and mentions of world-renowned Czech Artists. For now, the map is free and available on the ARV website.
According to Maria Meshcherskaya (founder of ARV), soon, the company will launch the extended edition of CAP, including not only artists and private galleries but also art institutions and foundations. “We believe that art and cultural heritage is what connects all of us. So, we find it vital to connect as many art bodies as we can. Also, bringing deserved recognition to unknown locations through showcasing the creative blast.”
In the last few years, the traveling industry has been through a few modifications, go-to destinations remained the same. Paris, London, and Rome still welcome every year millions of tourists while many picturesque locations stay unknown. Whether the implementation of the art exploration tool will be capable of changing this, we shall see soon. Meanwhile, the numbers for CAP speak for themselves. Since its launch, the map has over three hundred thousand users and expanding base of galleries.
