• by Tanya Gazdik , January 19, 2020

Volkswagen is supporting new arts education opportunities at the newly reopened Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. 

The automaker has been a partner since 2011 and the lead sponsor of MoMA education since 2015.

The new MoMA opened its doors in the fall with an expanded campus, a groundbreaking new curatorial approach, and the centering of education -- both physically and programmatically -- as part of its new vision, according to a release.

Art museums are vital public spaces for questioning, investigation, and for people to come together and connect to something bigger than themselves, says Wendy Woon, deputy director for education at MoMA.

“Now more than ever, we need the kind of empathy that is derived from imagining bigger,” Woon says in a release. “Arts education is essential to this process and Volkswagen’s support makes that a reality for every visitor who walks through our doors.”

Volkswagen’s support fits into its “Drive Bigger” campaign, which launched in June. The effort “isn’t just a slogan -- it’s the definition of Volkswagen’s calling to work towards a larger purpose,” according to the automaker. 

The automaker’s sponsored education opportunities expand into the online space, as MoMA recently launched its free six-week online course, “What is Contemporary Art?” The online class, available on Coursera, explores art created between 1980 and today, and provides an in-depth look at over 70 pieces from MoMA’s collection.