I managed a project called @rtexchange for three years that was sponsored by Hewlett Packard, to explore the use of a shared internet site in the promoting of cultural understanding through the publishing of students art. In the third year of the project one of my students created a fantastic website for the project based on a mysql database and php. The main page became a map of Europe, with each of the participating schools listed as one moused over the relevant country. This was really the start of a web 2.0 type social network, but before the explosion in social networking. Perhaps due to this it was at the time a step too far, and the project ground to a halt.
With money left in the pot I bought a couple of big flat screens. I have since been sourcing gilt frames, meeting with Martin Miller of the Millers Antique Catalogue, and approaching several venues including Bristol Zoo, the Arnophini, the University of the West of England, the Nature in Art Museum, and the Brewhouse in Taunton. (thinking about collecting and collections, the Millers residence in Wookey Hole is extraordinary)
In the mean time we have been experimenting with methods for loading and updating the images remotely via an internet link.
I have been very inspired by another HP project called Hype (Guardian article) a great web site too