Explore every episode of the podcast The Art Engager
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
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| Slow looking and social interaction in museums with Sasha Igdalova | 27 Jun 2024 | 00:48:30 | |
Today, I'm talking to Sasha Igdalova about the exciting research she’s been conducting over the past few years around aesthetic experience, slow looking and social interaction in museums. Aleksandra (Sasha) Igdalova is an interdisciplinary researcher in the final year of her Psychology PhD at Goldsmiths, University of London conducting large-scale, experimental studies on slow looking within exhibition spaces at Manchester Art Gallery. Her work investigates how popular engagement strategies may be used to increase aesthetic experience and well-being Listeners to this podcast will know that slow looking has gained in popularity in museums worldwide over the last decade or so. But there hasn’t been much research on its effectiveness, until now. In today's chat, we explore two studies - the first study to look at the impact of slow looking in an online environment. This study explores how different audio contexts and types of art affect people's moods and engagement levels in online viewing. The second study is the first large-scale experiment to investigate how social interaction impacts the art museum experience. This study took place in Manchester Art Museum’s fabulous dedicated slow looking space known as Room to Breathe. We discuss the implications of both studies for educators..and so much more! This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in slow looking, aesthetic experiences in museums, and the benefits of group interactions for overall well-being in museum environments. Episode Links:Episode 24 Using art and objects to learn wellbeing skills and improve mental health with Louise Thompson Aleksandra (Sasha) Igdalova Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleksandra-sasha-igdalova-a66770106/ Website: www.aleksandraigdalova.com Researchgate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aleksandra-Igdalova Articles on slow looking: First ever study examining how social interaction impacts art viewing: https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/x9wrt First ever study looking at slow looking in an experimental manner (online study): https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2023-59333-001 Free access to it here: https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/33048/9/Igdalova%20&%20Chamberlain%20(2023)%20Slow%20looking%20at%20still%20art.pdf CREA interdisciplinary workshop: www.crea-workshop.com The Art Engager Links:The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums - sign up for the waitlist to hear when my book will be published! Sign up for my Curated newsletter - a fortnightly dose of cultural inspiration Join the | |||
| Stimulating the senses: using smell to engage visitors | 13 Jun 2024 | 00:43:01 | |
How can we use our sense of smell to engage visitors? My guest today, Sofia Collette Ehrich is an art historian and curator of multisensory experiences. She was a key researcher on Odeuropa - a European funded Horizon 2020 project that advocated for smell as an important part of Europe’s cultural heritage. We discuss when she first realised her passion for working with scents and how smell can make museum experiences more engaging. We cover her creation of a scent-based tour for Museum Ulm in Germany and a 'Scratch and Sniff' self-guided tour for the Amsterdam Museum. We also look at the Olfactory Storytelling Toolkit, 'smell walks,' and the idea of a 'sniffer in residence.' Sofia shares lots of practical tips for adding olfactory elements to your programmes. If you want to infuse the sense of smell into your practice or incorporate more multisensory approaches into your programmes, you'll learn a lot from this episode. Episode Links:Sofia Collette Ehrich https://sofiaehrich.wordpress.com/ https://thesensesationalexplorer.substack.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-collette-ehrich/ https://www.instagram.com/thesensesationalexplorer/ Museum Ulm Links: https://odeuropa.eu/2022/04/now-open-follow-your-nose-at-museum-ulm/ https://odeuropa.eu/2023/01/update-follow-your-nose/ City Sniffers Links: https://odeuropa.eu/2022/08/launch-of-city-sniffers-a-smell-tour-of-amsterdams-ecohistory/ Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7utP_pAx_E Odeuropa Impact: This is an interesting report about the interviews Cecilia Bembibre conducted with museum professionals who have used smells in GLAMs: https://odeuropa.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/D6_1_Guidelines_on_the_Use_of_Smells_in_GLAMs.pdf Olfactory Storytelling Toolkit: Download it here: https://zenodo.org/records/10254737 Guidelines for conducting an olfactory guided tour here: https://zenodo.org/records/10102080 Guidelines for conducting a smell walk here: https://zenodo.org/records/10101016 A talk Sofia gave for the Swedish Heritage Commission which included many practical examples: | |||
| Arts on prescription and museums: a conversation with Dr Tasha Golden | 22 Feb 2024 | 00:39:15 | |
In this episode of the Art Engager podcast, host Claire Bown talks with Dr. Tasha Golden about the role arts and culture can play in public health, discussing Tasha's journey from singer-songwriter to public health scientist and the impact of social prescribing on healthcare. They delve into the ways museums are becoming active participants in community health, sharing examples and practical tips for cultural institutions. The conversation also covers the practical application of the Arts on Prescription field guide and the importance of inclusive access, diversity training, and self-care for educators and creatives in the arts. (0:00:13) - Dr. Tasha Golden's journey from musician to public health scientist and the success of the CultureRx pilot program. (0:12:15) - An in-depth look at social prescribing and arts on prescription's potential impact on social isolation. (0:18:14) - Museums promoting health and well-being through innovative programming and partnerships. (0:27:42) - The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion training, trauma-informed practice, and self-care for creatives and educators. (0:38:11) - Wrap-up and resources. Links Arts on Prescription Field Guide https://www.tashagolden.com/fieldguide https://www.instagram.com/tasha.golden/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashagolden/ “How We Human,” Mental Health and Trauma-Informed Practice training — designed specifically for artists and arts organizations: http://www.tashagolden.com/training Get in touch with the show! Curated newsletter by Claire Bown Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook Download the free guide - how to look at art (slowly) Download the Ultimate Thinking Routine List | |||
| 6 Ways to Create Awe-Inspiring Experiences with Art and Objects | 09 Dec 2021 | 00:24:35 | |
Awe is an emotion that can be triggered by being around something larger than yourself, that’s not immediately understandable. It's that feeling you get when you look up and see millions of stars in the night sky; witness a beautiful landscape or set eyes on an artwork for the first time. Museums and galleries, historic settings and buildings can all provoke awe. And you can foster more of it in your programmes by thinking carefully about the artworks, objects you include, the questions you ask and the information you share. How about you try to sprinkle some awe-moments throughout your next guided tour or educational programme? So today, I’m talking about what awe is, why it’s important and sharing 6 ways you can create awe-inspiring experiences with art and objects. At the end I’ll be sharing 3 things to look for to check you’ve succeeded in inspiring awe in your audience. LINKS Dacher Keltner quote taken from Psyche - How to Fill your Life with More Awe Every Day Dacher Keltner & Jonathan Haidt Approaching Awe: A Moral, Spiritual and Aesthetic Emotion Dacher Keltner's 8 Wonders of Modern Life | |||
| How to Teach with Objects with Jo-Anne Sunderland Bowe | 02 Dec 2021 | 00:28:33 | |
This week on the podcast: I’m delighted to be talking to Jo-Anne Sunderland Bowe and we're talking about how to teach with objects. Jo-Anne is director of Heritec Limited, a UK-based heritage education consultancy which works on European collaborative projects. Jo-Anne has a keen interest in object-based learning and creative and critical thinking. in today’s chat we talk about the values that drive her work and her passion for object-based learning and teaching. We talk about what object-based learning means and dive into the processes around it - collective thinking, collaborative action, inquiry dialogue and the acts of wondering. Jo-Anne discusses the many benefits of working with objects and shares her tips for how you can better engage your audience with objects. I hope our chat inspires you to think about how you might use objects of any kind to engage your audiences. LINKS Masterclass - How to use slow listening to engage the senses and make connections with objects Flinders University Objects in Teaching and Learning wheel | |||
| Art and Dementia with Catherine Chastney | 25 Nov 2021 | 00:28:32 | |
For our thirtieth episode, I’m delighted to be talking to Catherine Chastney. Catherine is an art educator and owner of social enterprise I Picture This. Catherine’s work focuses on bringing art and the joy of discussing art to older people, from creating conversations in care homes, to creating art cards during lockdown and working with people living with dementia. In this chat we explore the strong values that guide Catherine's work - she is passionate about that anyone can look at and discuss art, she loves using art to bring people together and to improve wellbeing We talk to about the toolkit she has just published with the Wallace Collection for Looking at Art designed for anyone working or volunteering in care settings and, of course, her work with people living with dementia. Catherine shares some wonderful tips for discussing art with people with dementia - from creating trust seeking permission, active listening and creating space. This conversation will inspire you to think about how you might use art to bring people together, create conversations, forge connections and ultimately improve wellbeing. LINKS Masterclass - A dementia-friendly approach to art
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| How to develop a reflective practice | 18 Nov 2021 | 00:26:44 | |
So in today’s episode I’m talking about how to develop a reflective practice in your work. A reflective practice is simply the art of thinking about or reflecting on what you do. It is a way of recognising, capturing and articulating what we’re learning on a moment by moment basis. By following any of the suggestions in this episode, you will develop a questioning approach to your work. You will stop and pause to think about why things are as they are and how they might be in the future. You will consider the strengths and areas of development in your own practice and consider how to develop your skills. First I'll share more about what reflective practice is and the benefits of introducing reflection as a practice into your work. Then I'm going to share 7 different ways you can use to develop your reflective practice and 3 tips to get you started. Links Episode 6 - 6 thinking routines you should have in your repertoire - including ESP+I | |||
| How to Engage your Audience with Colour in Art Discussions | 11 Nov 2021 | 00:16:09 | |
Today I’m focusing on colour. Colour is one of the 7 elements of art along with shape, line, form, texture, value and space. It's a vast subject - but today I don't want to focus on colour theory or the science of colour. Instead, I want to get you thinking about how you approach colour with your audience during an art discussion. I’m going to look at different ways you can create discussion about colour with your groups to get them engaged in artworks. Colour is important because it can make you feel something, even if the artwork itself doesn’t at first glance. Colour is the hook to get audiences curious about artworks and wanting to know more. So, listen in for some different ways that you can engage your audience - any audience - in discussion about colour. Links | |||
| Slow Looking and Empathy | 04 Nov 2021 | 00:25:41 | |
Today I’m delighted to be talking to Kenia Santos - an educator based in Brazil with specialisations and interests in art history, philosophical inquiry, social and emotional learning, thinking routines and slow looking. We discuss how she uses thinking routines in her work to encourage and develop slow looking, how she keeps her teenage students engaged for 3 hours in her art classes and how we can develop empathy through slow looking. Kenia is a passionate educator, slow looking enthusiast and a self-described art history nerd; a cat lover, free spirit and a friendly soul. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! Links Masterclass - How to Develop Empathy through Slow Looking | |||
| 10 Easy Ways to Make your Guided Tours More Interactive | 28 Oct 2021 | 00:24:39 | |
The traditional lecture-style guided tour is dead, long live the interactive tour! Well, it’s not actually, it’s still alive and kicking in some quarters, but in my opinion it shouldn’t be the way we think about guided tours in the 21st Century. Traditional lecture-style ‘walk and talk ‘ guided tours with an expert guide are still fairly common and in some places are still a standard way of ‘presenting’ an historic site, a city or a museum to the public. Things have definitely changed in the last 10 years since I started this journey of teaching others how to transition to a more discussion-based approach, but there is still work to be done. If you feel you talk too much on your tours or you overshare information, this podcast episode is for you. If you would like to have more interaction with your participants then today I’m sharing 10 easy ways you can implement NOW to make your tours more interactive - that means more of a two-way conversation rather than a one-way lecture. So, here are 10 easy ways to make your guided tours more interactive. Links Episode 4 The 5 Golden Rules for Asking Brilliant Questions Episode 10 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Asking Questions Episode 15 How to Use Artworks to Improve your Questioning Skills The TM WEEKLY Newsletter - every Friday in your Inbox! | |||
| 3 Thinking Routines for Slow Looking and Drawing | 21 Oct 2021 | 00:26:12 | |
This week’s episode is inspired by recent classes in the Visible Thinking Membership where we've been exploring the concept of using drawing and sketching for slow looking and observation. When people are learning how to draw, they actually learn how to observe first. And being a sketcher makes you a better observer - it’s as though you are seeing something for the first time when you’re trying to draw it. Today I’m talking about using drawing as an observational exercise. It’s not a test of how good your drawing skills are, it’s a test of how to use your eyes. 👀 Using drawing as a tool for slow looking enriches and enhances what you see. So here are 3 thinking routines that you can use for slow looking, extended observation and drawing. And at the end of this episode I’ll be sharing some ways to get over drawing apprehension - that feeling of nerves when someone asks you to draw. How can you help your group to feel comfortable and enjoy drawing with you? So do stick around to the end for those ideas too! Links How to Use Slow Complexity Capture to Slow Down and Explore Objects | |||
| Using art and objects to learn wellbeing skills and improve mental health with Louise Thompson | 14 Oct 2021 | 00:35:03 | |
Today I’m really excited to be chatting to Louise Thompson - a museums and wellbeing consultant as well as the health and wellbeing manager at Manchester Art Gallery for the past 9 years. We’re talking how about art and objects can be used to learn wellbeing skills and improve mental health. Louise has over 12 years experience of arts and health practice and is hugely passionate about using culture and creativity to improve people’s wellbeing. We discuss:
Louise shares so much value in our chat - make sure you listen to the whole episode to catch it all! LinksSupport the Show - https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Masterclass -The Mindful Museum: Using Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness to Engage with Cultural Collections https://thinkingmuseum.com/product/the-mindful-museum/ Well Mindful website https://well-mindful.com/ Louise Thompson on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/well_mindful_/ Louise Thompson on Twitter https://twitter.com/Louise_Tea_ Becoming a Mum https://manchesterartgallery.org/learn/becoming-a-mum/ Lead art psychotherapist for Becoming a Mum - Sarah Greaves Sarah Greaves Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sarahgreavesart/ The Mindful Museum https://manchesterartgallery.org/learn/mindful-museum/ | |||
| How to get over a 'tumbleweed moment' (and avoid one in the future) | 07 Oct 2021 | 00:19:54 | |
Have you ever asked a question that was greeted with nothing but silence? You look around and all you can see are blank faces. The silence is scary because you don’t know what people are thinking. It could mean anything. You wait a little longer and still nothing happens. Just the sound of tumbleweed rustling by…. You've just experienced a 'tumbleweed moment' - a period of dead air or silence. And it’s awkward and uncomfortable - not just for you but also for your participants too. You don't know what people are thinking and your mind races to think of something to fill the silence. But what if you had some steps to work though to help you get over this moment? Well, help is at hand. Today I'm sharing some practical ways to get over a tumbleweed moment. And at the end I’ll be sharing some advice about avoiding these moments in the first place - so stick around and together we’ll make sure you never have to hear the terrifying sound of silence again! LINKS Support the show! https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Episode 10 - 10 common mistakes to avoid when asking questions - https://thinkingmuseum.com/2021/06/24/10-common-mistakes-to-avoid-when-asking-questions/ | |||
| See Listen Talk: Slow Looking Approaches for Vulnerable Audiences | 08 Feb 2024 | 00:27:46 | |
Today I’m talking to Cecilie Monrad, Art Health Manager at Frederiksberg Museums in Copenhagen. We’re talking about See Listen Talk, a unique slow looking programme that helps young psychiatric service users in their recovery. See Listen Talk is a 15-week long programme with weekly meetings taking place outside of the museum's visiting hours. Participants were young psychiatric users aged 18 to 29. Some were still hospitalised during the course but were able to attend the museum sessions. The project had a co-therapist attached, who was both the participants' contact person and motivator. Listen to today's episode to hear:
This research by Kasper Levin at Roskilde University is ongoing and results are anticipated in March 2024. Links: https://frederiksbergmuseerne.dk/en/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecilie-monrad-b43729269/ https://journals.uio.no/museolog/article/view/6662 - in Danish [The museum as a catalyst for loneliness prevention in the elderly] Upcoming article (in Danish) in https://www.magasinetmuseum.dk/ ”Museer som trivselsrum: Slow Looking og Visible Thinking / ”Museums as spaces for wellbeing: Slow Looking and Visible Thinking Episode 24 Using art and objects to learn wellbeing skills and improve mental health with Louise Thompson Suggest a guest or ask a question for the show - get in touch here Download my free Slow Art Guide Download the Ultimate Thinking Routine List Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook Free guide - how to look at art (slowly) Curated newsletter by Claire Bown | |||
| 13 Tips for Getting Started with Thinking Routines | 30 Sep 2021 | 00:20:20 | |
In the past week I’ve just started teaching my Visible Thinking in the Museum Online course (VTMO) to a group of international educators excited to start confidently leading discussions around art and objects. There’s always a buzz when we get going and an enthusiasm to learn as much as you can as quickly as possible. But I always try to slow down participants, so that they can take it one step at a time and build up their practice (and confidence) slowly. So this week’s episode is for all the new VTMO-ers and for anyone who has just started out using thinking routines to engage their audiences with art. Here are my top 13 tips for getting started! LINKS Support the show https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown | |||
| How to Use your Voice to Engage your Audience | 23 Sep 2021 | 00:25:29 | |
Today I’m really excited to be introducing our first guest chat on the podcast - Samantha Boffin. Samantha is a voice actor, director and audio drama coach working with clients on voice technique, voiceover and communication. Your voice is one of your biggest assets when it comes to storytelling, entertaining and engaging your audience. In this episode, you will discover how to look after it, use it and make the most of it with simple, fun and actionable techniques. Samantha shares some wonderful tips and techniques that we can all use to make the most of our voice and use it in the best way possible. We discuss:
Sam is very generous with her advice and shares lots of gold here – so you might need to make notes! Links Find Samantha's Masterclass 'Your voice: How to Look after it, use it and engage your audience' in my membership programme LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-boffin/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samanthaboffin/ Taking Creative podcast https://samanthaboffin.co.uk/talkingcreative/
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| The 6 core elements of my VTMO course (and why they're important) | 16 Sep 2021 | 00:22:36 | |
Today I’m talking about the 6 core elements in my popular Visible Thinking in the Museum Online (VTMO) course - elements that you should also have in your educator repertoire to connect with your audience and engage them with art and objects. I'm sharing with you:
Next week, I’m teaching VTMO for the final time in the Visible Thinking membership. We start on 20 September! LINKS Support the show https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Visible Thinking in the Museum Online (VTMO) course - www.thinkingmuseum.com/vtmo | |||
| What to Expect from The Art of Engagement Challenge | 11 Sep 2021 | 00:07:21 | |
Would you love to learn how to design and lead engaging discussions around art and objects in just 4 days? On Monday through to Thursday next week, I’ll be sharing 4 principles that are key 🔑 for creating engagement and connection when you're designing and leading art discussions. In this BONUS podcast episode (a first for The Art Engager!) you’ll learn everything you need to know about what happens when you join the challenge, who it's for and how it will work. Join in the 4 day Art of Engagement Challenge next week to make concrete progress on your journey to designing and leading engaging discussions around art and objects. So, what are you waiting for? Take some steps today and join me for the challenge on Monday - sign up today via the link below! LINK Join The Art of Engagement Challenge - SIGN UP HERE https://mailchi.mp/4fc80dab0b8a/artofengagement | |||
| Success Factors for Leading Discussion-Based Programmes Around Art | 09 Sep 2021 | 00:25:37 | |
Today I’m sharing some thoughts about how you can successfully design and lead engaging discussion-based programmes around art and objects. I’ll be talking briefly about the difference between different types of 'talking' in museum education - conversations, discussions and dialogue - before moving into 11 tips for success in creating conversations around art and objects. Links Support the Show - https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Sign up for The Art of Engagement Challenge - https://mailchi.mp/4fc80dab0b8a/artofengagement Episode 18 Common Fears Around Leading Discussion-Based Programmes ( and How to Deal with Them) Episode 9 - Creating a Great Group Dynamic in the 'New Now' https://thinkingmuseum.com/2021/06/16/creating-a-great-group-dynamic-in-the-new-now/ 'Teaching in the Art Museum: Interpretation as Experience' - Rika Burnham and Elliot Kai-Kee | |||
| Common Fears Around Leading Discussion-Based Programmes (and How to Deal with Them) | 02 Sep 2021 | 00:20:20 | |
Leading tours and educational programmes that are based on discussion, inquiry and interaction can be a scary business. Both for you and for your participants. And if you’re about to take your first steps, it might seem really daunting. However, do remember that any concerns you have are perfectly normal and you’re not alone (we’ve all been there and had to start somewhere). Take it one step at a time and with time, practice and guidance, it will get easier (I promise!). In this podcast episode, I’m going to summarise the most common fears and concerns about leading discussion-based programmes that I’ve heard over the last 20 years, along with suggestions for ways to overcome them. LINKS Support the Show - https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Visible Thinking in the Museum Online (VTMO) - www.thinkingmuseum.com/vtmo The Art Engager, Episode 12: Best Practices for Sharing Information - https://player.captivate.fm/episode/edd22a39-daa0-46f4-9444-5d6eb656164b The Art Engager, Episode 4: The 5 Golden Rules for Asking Questions - https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8de302e0-94ce-4c79-8486-b0b92f83210d | |||
| 13 Ways to Make your Online Experiences More Engaging and Interactive | 26 Aug 2021 | 00:24:49 | |
Over the past year, I’ve attended some fantastic interactive online sessions and I’ve led hundreds of my own. I’ve also attended some pretty dull one-way presentations and long lectures. No matter what type of session you are leading - be it a virtual tour, an online art discussion, an online class or course - you need to keep your session interactive to stop participants from tuning out. You need to find a variety of ways to engage people throughout the session. Online experiences that emphasise personalisation, active learning, interaction and engagement will be here to stay. If you haven't levelled up your skills yet, it's time you took some action When it’s done right, online sessions are JUST as (and in some cases MORE) rewarding and engaging online. But how do you make it interactive and keep everyone fully engaged? Here are my 13 ways to get you started... LINKS Support the Show! https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Recorded Masterclass: Zoom Confidence for Educators - https://thinkingmuseum.com/product/zoom-confidence-for-educators/ Episodes 4 - The 5 Golden Rules for Asking Brilliant Questions - https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8de302e0-94ce-4c79-8486-b0b92f83210d Episode 10 - 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Asking Questions https://player.captivate.fm/episode/be7953c3-9b54-4de4-9ed2-e793caef6851 Episode 15 How to Use Artworks to Improve your Questioning Skills - https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8868cace-a070-4eef-806b-c12324b15246 | |||
| How to Use See Think Wonder in your Art Discussions | 19 Aug 2021 | 00:17:42 | |
Today I’m doing a deep dive on the most famous and well-known thinking routine of them all - See Think Wonder. I’m going to share with you how you can use this thinking routine in your art discussions and why it’s one of the best routines for getting started with Visible Thinking in the Museum - my method for engaging and connecting with audiences, art and ideas. It’s actually the first thinking routine that I teach when I do a training with teams of educators or guides in a museum and the first routine that I teach on my popular VTMO course. STW is a GREAT thinking routine to use when you are new to Visible Thinking and a really good one to use at the beginning of a guided tour or museum programme. But what is it, how can you use it and, importantly, what's so special about it? All will be revealed today in episode 16! Links | |||
| How to Use Artworks to Improve your Questioning Skills | 12 Aug 2021 | 00:20:16 | |
How can you improve your questioning skills without resorting to reading long lists of tips and techniques and do's and don'ts? What can you use to help you create, sort and evaluate better questions? The simple answer is: ART. I’ve been using artworks for years to help me to brainstorm, sort, re-word and improve my questions. Artworks (and objects) provide an engaging and focused way to work on your questioning skills. I’m not an ‘expert questioner’ by any means and have found that this is a skill that I have had to consistently work at to improve. But by using artworks, I really enjoy the process too. In today’s episode I’m going to share with you some practical ways you can use art as a tool to become a better questioner! NOTES Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Wikiart.org - https://www.wikiart.org/ How to Ask Brilliant Questions Masterclass https://thinkingmuseum.com/product/how-to-ask-brilliant-questions-that-get-results/ | |||
| 5 Simple Slow Looking Activities for Summer | 22 Jul 2021 | 00:22:49 | |
Today I’m sharing 5 simple slow looking ideas for the summer. In our fast-paced society, we scan, we skim and we scroll. We have forgotten what it’s like to really look at something. Slow looking is a wonderful alternative to life in the fast lane. The 5 activities I'll be sharing in this episode are simple, effective ways to slow down, improve your observational skills and focus and notice more details around you. You can use these slow looking activities throughout the summer - either on your own or with friends and family and children. All of the activities are designed to help you develop your ability to see - and in doing so, spark creativity, curiosity and improve focus. By the end of this episode you’ll have a range of great ideas to keep yourself and others engaged in slow looking in a range of different environments (outside and inside), some involve art and some do not. All are designed to help improve your observation skills and help you to slow down and relax. Which activity are you going to try? I’d love to hear how you get on with any of this activities, Please share your thoughts, photos, sketches and or notes via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter using the hashtag #summerslowlooking LINKS Support the show https://www.buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Thinking Museum website https://thinkingmuseum.com | |||
| Values-Engaged Gallery Teaching with Andrew Westover | 25 Jan 2024 | 00:42:48 | |
Today I’m talking to Andrew Westover, Eleanor McDonald Storza Director of Education at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, about how values-engaged teaching can transform gallery experiences and foster deep connections. Andrew Westover leads the learning team at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, focusing on connecting people with art and ideas to inspire civic life. In this role, Andrew develops initiatives, partnerships, and diverse programming to engage Atlanta's communities. Andrew previously served as the Keith Haring Director of Education at the New Museum in New York, shaping the vision for the education department. Their diverse experience includes roles at the J. Paul Getty Museum, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum, and the Phoenix Art Museum. In this chat we’re exploring:
Andrew concludes by sharing tips for listeners looking to adopt similar strategies for values-engaged teaching in their practice or organisation. There is so much in this conversation - you might want to have a pen and paper handy! Links Andrew Westover - High Museum of Art
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| How to Use the Unveiling Stories Thinking Routine to Investigate Multiple Layers of Meaning in a Photograph | 15 Jul 2021 | 00:20:42 | |
Today I’m talking all about how to use the ‘Unveiling Stories’ thinking routine to investigate multiple layers of meaning with a photograph. This is part of a new series of episodes on the podcast where I share a thinking routine with you and all the insights for how you might be able to use it with an artwork or object with groups - either in-person or online. Unveiling Stories was our ‘thinking routine of the month’ for June in my Membership Programme. Every month we have a specialist thinking routine online class that gives us the opportunity to discover a new thinking routine or to dig a bit deeper into one we already know. Discover in this episode:
LINKS Roland Schmid, ‘Cross-Border Love’ (25 April, 2020 )Courtesy of World Press Photo https://www.worldpressphoto.org/collection/photo/2021/41420/1/Roland-Schmid The Thinking Museum Membership | |||
| 6 Best Practices for Sharing Information | 08 Jul 2021 | 00:23:41 | |
Many of us are experts in our field - possibly art historians, historians or archaeologists - and want to share that incredible knowledge with the groups we lead in our programmes. But knowing what information to share, how to share it and when to share it is often tricky – especially on interactive, discussion-based programmes. And what happens when you add too much information? And how much is too much? Sharing information that is engaging and memorable (without overloading your participants) is a great skill to master. In this week's episode I'm sharing some thoughts on information delivery and 6 best practices for how to share your knowledge AND keep your audience engaged and curious (as opposed to bored and frustrated). Make your knowledge work for you. Learn how to use information as a tool to create curiosity and engagement in episode 12! LINKS Mini-Course From Monologue to dialogue: How to Share Information to Engage and delight your Audience available in my membership programme Patterson Williams, Object‐Oriented Learning in Art Museums Nina Simon, Museum 2.0, 2010, Making Museum Tours Participatory | |||
| Step Inside: Thinking Routines to Foster Perspective-taking | 01 Jul 2021 | 00:18:17 | |
Perspective-taking is about seeing a situation or understanding a concept from an alternative view point, such as that of someone else. It is a skill that needs to be encouraged - particularly in children. Your brain has to work quite hard to get good at perspective-taking. And in the opposite direction of what it is hard-wired to do - which is to place YOU at the centre of everything. Engaging in perspective-taking means moving away from this starting point in order to understand others. THE GOOD NEWS is that like most things, it gets easier with practice and our perspective-taking skills do improve. In today's episode I'm going to introduce you to 4 thinking routines that are specifically designed to foster this disposition. You can use these thinking routines with artworks to create discussions that consider multiple solutions to a problem and look at situations or people from multiple perspectives. Links Support the show https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown Ellen Galinsky ‘Mind in the Making’ | |||
| 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Asking Questions | 24 Jun 2021 | 00:21:58 | |
So, this week in honour of our 10th episode I’m talking about 10 common traps to avoid when asking questions! For some people questioning comes easily. But for the majority of us, we are not asking enough questions AND we’re not phrasing them in the best way.The good news is that we can all become better questioners with time and practice. To become a better questioner, it’s really important first all to avoid these 10 common mistakes. Which ones of these are you guilty of? I’ve certainly done a few of these in the past! And stay tuned until the end where I’m sharing a follow-up exercise you can do to work on your own questioning skills! LINKS Support the show https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown | |||
| Creating a Great Group Dynamic in the 'New Now' | 17 Jun 2021 | 00:27:16 | |
Welcome back to the Art Engager podcast! Today I’m talking about building rapport and creating a great group dynamic in the 'new now'. Creating a great group dynamic is even MORE important now after the last year or so. We will need to take extra care to create social comfort and psychological safety, we will also need to build trust and social interaction. In this episode I'm talking about :
I'll end by talking about how to still create a great group dynamic even when you’re wearing a face mask, so stay tuned for that at the end of this episode. So, the big questions for today’s episode are:
Throughout this episode think about how some of the ideas might work for you or how they could be adapted to your organisation or environment. There is unfortunately not a one-size-fits-all approach to this, but I'm hoping some of these suggestions might help you to think about how you can lead engaging, enjoyable and safe group experiences going forwards. LINKS Priya Parker, ‘The Art of Gathering’ Refresher Course for Teams https://thinkingmuseum.com/refreshercourse/ULTIMATE THINKING ROUTINES LIST | |||
| How to use the ‘See Think Me We’ thinking routine to create personal and community connections with artworks | 10 Jun 2021 | 00:16:07 | |
Today I’m talking all about how to use the ‘See Think Me We’ thinking routine to create personal and community connections with artworks. This is part of a new series of episodes on the podcast where I share a thinking routine with you and all the insights for how you might be able to use it with an artwork or object with groups - either in-person or online. See Think Me We was our ‘thinking routine of the month’ recently in the Visible Thinking Membership. Every month we have a specialist thinking routine online class that gives us the opportunity to discover a new thinking routine or to dig a bit deeper into one we already know. Here’s how we used See Think Me We thinking routine to discuss Kerry James Marshall's ‘SOB, SOB’ (2003). LINKS Kerry James Marshall, ‘SOB, SOB’ (2003) https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/sob-sob-7874 Andrew Wyeth, ‘Christina's World’, (1948) https://www.moma.org/collection/works/78455 Amy E Herman, 'Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life' | |||
| How to Develop a Daily Slow Looking Practice | 03 Jun 2021 | 00:18:10 | |
Slow looking is not only an important part of my work, it is also a personal practice - something that I’ve been doing regularly for the last few years. I’m really interested in developing my observational skills and I’m also fascinated by what happens when we spend a longer period of time looking at something. Our general approach to looking is, however, flawed and we try to look at things as briskly and efficiently as possible. We need to slow our looking down and give our brain the time and space to focus on what is in front of us. Developing a daily slow looking practice will enable you to improve your observational skills and start noticing more details. And if we are better at this ourselves, as educators, then we are in a far better position to guide others through the process of slow looking too. So, here are 6 ways you can start to develop your own daily slow looking practice - I’ve included a number of ideas, some outside, some inside, some to do with art, some not. The idea is that you pick one of these activities and you do it every day for a few days and see what happens. After a few days you should start to notice a difference! Links The Intelligent Eye, David Perkins How to Use your Eyes, James Elkins On Looking: 11 Walks with Expert Eyes, Alexander Horowitz | |||
| 6 Essential Thinking Routines You Need in your Repertoire | 27 May 2021 | 00:23:01 | |
In this episode, I’m discussing 6 essential thinking routines you should have in your educator repertoire. These are thinking routines that you can use to create engaging discussions with art or artefacts or routines that will help you develop and grow in your work as an educator. I’ve found it really hard to select just 6 thinking routine out of the 100+ routines out there, but I’ve come up with a list that every educator should have in their repertoire to draw upon in different situations or for different purposes. I’ve chosen :
To find out which 6 thinking routines I chose, listen to this week’s episode! Plus, if you’d like a copy of my newly updated Ultimate Thinking Routines list, I've put a link below in the show notes so you can sign up for your own copy of this resource with 100+ thinking routines in one place. It’s a really useful reference document for any educator interested in creating engaging discussions with art, objects and ideas. Links The Ultimate Thinking Routine List - https://mailchi.mp/21a87a092bdd/thinking-routine-list See Think Wonder https://thinkingmuseum.com/2020/01/01/see-think-wonder-visible-thinking/ Looking Ten Times Two https://thinkingmuseum.com/2020/01/05/visible-thinking-routine-of-the-week-looking-ten-times-two/ Step Inside https://thinkingmuseum.com/2020/01/11/visible-thinking-routine-of-the-week-step-inside/ Creative Questions https://thinkingmuseum.com/2020/05/27/using-thinking-routines-to-formulate-better-questions/ ESP+I https://thinkingmuseum.com/2020/07/03/the-power-of-reflection-in-online-learning/ | |||
| The Art of Facilitation | 20 May 2021 | 00:14:33 | |
Facilitation is a key part of creating engaging and interactive discussions around art and museum objects. But developing the skills of a good facilitator is an art form in itself – it requires practice, patience and the best facilitators MAKE IT LOOK SO EASY. Sometimes people wonder why I chose the word 'facilitator' - rather than guide, educator, teacher, docent, or interpreter - to describe people who lead participative, discussion-based experiences around art and objects. It’s certainly not the easiest word to say, but it does sum up what we do. As a facilitator, you are guiding the process, creating participation and activating the learning and engagement. In this week's episode, I’m talking about facilitation - how can you develop the skills of a good facilitator (and make it look like you were born to do it), and what are the different roles you will be expected to play? | |||
| The 5 Golden Rules for Asking Brilliant Questions | 13 May 2021 | 00:19:31 | |
In this week's episode, I’m sharing my 5 golden rules for asking brilliant questions. But what is a brilliant question? Asking more questions is one way to get more interaction and engagement in your programmes. But asking the wrong types of questions can actually shut down the discussion and stop people participating at all. So, in this episode, I'm sharing 5 rules that will help you to ask questions that create interaction and engagement, open up discussions and encourage everyone to participate fully! Links The Art of Questioning - Improve your questioning technique with tools and exercises for creating, sorting, and evaluating brilliant questions. | |||
| Bringing art to life in classrooms with Magic Lantern | 11 Jan 2024 | 00:31:03 | |
Today I'm talking to Briony Brickell, the director of Magic Lantern, an educational charity delivering interactive art history workshops in schools across the UK. We chat about the organisation's work, its values, and the interactive art history sessions they conduct in primary schools for children aged 4 to 11. We explore Magic Lantern's unique cross-curricular approach, incorporating art history into various subjects like science, geography, history, English, maths, and more. We discuss a variety of specific strategies used in sessions, such as inviting students to step into artworks, creating soundscapes, exploring colours and patterns, and engaging students in the making process through dry painting. Briony also details a session involving Henri Rousseau's painting "Surprised" and shares how information is shared in the sessions. Briony concludes with tips for engaging children with art, emphasising the importance of cultivating a culture of looking, letting paintings speak for themselves initially, and gradually introducing historical and narrative context. Hope you enjoy our chat! Links Henri Rousseau Surprised (1891) Hans Holbein The Ambassadors (1533) The Townley Discobolus statue Magic Lantern is an award winning charity that has been turning primary school classrooms into pop-up art galleries for nearly 30 years. Children are given the opportunity to explore, discuss and bring to life famous artworks, and discover the world of art from cave paintings to Cubism, Gothic to Graffiti, and Turner to the Turner Prize. These unique art history workshops are designed to support classroom topics across the whole curriculum and incorporate elements of drama, soundscape, writing and dialogue. Magic Lantern website | |||
| The Magic of Thinking Routines | 04 May 2021 | 00:16:36 | |
Thinking routines are an essential part of the Visible Thinking in the Museum method and my core course, Visible Thinking in the Museum Online (VTMO). They have been a magical ingredient in helping me to confidently create engaging discussions around objects and artworks over the past 10 years. They’ve also been a great way to engage audiences to get them really interested in art and objects, making them curious and asking questions and, of course, getting them thinking. But what are thinking routines and how can you use them? And where does the magic happen? That’s what we’re discovering in episode 3!Links The Ultimate Thinking Routine List https://mailchi.mp/4dd4fbc3e870/ultimatethinkingroutinelist Making Thinking Visible : How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners By Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, and Karin Morrison The Power of Making Thinking Visible: Practices to Engage and Empower All Learners by Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church Artful Thinking http://www.pz.harvard.edu/projects/artful-thinking Agency by Design http://www.agencybydesign.org/ Out of Eden Learn https://learn.outofedenwalk.com/ Visible Thinking in the Museum Online www.thinkingmuseum.com/VTMO FREE CLASS : Getting Started with VTM Friday 7 May 15.00 hrs - sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/f2269441d126/springvtm | |||
| What is Slow Looking and How Can I get Started? | 30 Apr 2021 | 00:20:29 | |
I believe engagement starts with slow looking. I’ve been practising the art of slow looking for the last 10 years as a personal practice and with groups of all ages with a variety of objects, artworks, situations and places. Slow looking has played a pivotal role in the most engaging discussions I've led over the last 10 years. Slow looking has played a pivotal role in the most engaging discussions I've led over the last 10 years. Recently, slow looking has become more popular with Tate ‘recommending’ slow looking for their Bonnard exhibition and the National Gallery offering slow looking art sessions for lockdown. In this podcast I’m going to take you right back to the basics and walk you through an introduction to slow looking - what it is, why it matters and how you can get started - and I'll be sharing lots of practical tips and suggestions too! Links Jennifer Roberts The Power of Patience https://harvardmagazine.com/2013/11/the-power-of-patience Peter Clothier - One hour One painting video https://peterclothier.com/one-hour-one-painting/video-demonstration/ James Elkins ‘How to Use your Eyes’ Alexandra Horowitz ‘On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes’ Shari Tishman ‘Slow Looking: The Art and Practice of Learning Through Observation’ | |||
| The moment when I first heard the words ‘Visible Thinking’ | 30 Apr 2021 | 00:20:39 | |
In this first episode, I’m going to be talking about the main method I use to engage audiences with art and ideas - that’s my Visible Thinking in the Museum method which I started developing 10 years ago this year. The Visible Thinking in the Museum method is an easy-to-follow framework that allows educators to confidently lead engaging discussion-based sessions with art, objects and ideas with any audience. It takes elements of a framework called Visible Thinking from Harvard's Project Zero and combines them with museum education practices, facilitation techniques and questioning strategies. I didn’t know it at the time, but hearing the words ‘Visible Thinking’ was about to change everything. This method has influenced everything I’ve done in the past 10 years and has completely revolutionised the way I work. So, what is this Visible Thinking? How did I hear about it and how did I start to use it in my method? All will be revealed in this episode. Links Visible Thinking http://www.pz.harvard.edu/projects/visible-thinking 'Cultivating a Culture of Thinking in Museums' by Ron Ritchhart The Great Pustaha https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-great-pustaha/AQ2ZzxcN collection: Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, NL Madonna (After Omomá and Céline), 2008 collection: Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, NL | |||
| Introducing the Art Engager Podcast | 21 Apr 2021 | 00:02:36 | |
Welcome to The Art Engager podcast! This podcast here to help educators, guides and creatives engage their audiences with art, objects and ideas. Each week I’ll be sharing a variety of strategies, ideas and inspiration to help you to engage and connect with your audiences and confidently lead lively art and artefact discussions. Show highlights:
Links: For more details please see the thinkingmuseum website.
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| How to engage participants in historic spaces through inquiry and facilitation | 14 Dec 2023 | 00:40:29 | |
In today's episode, Dr. Stephanie Smith, Learning Manager at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) in Canberra, shares insights into MoAD's innovative approach to engaging visitors in historical spaces. Steph talks about MoAD's educational programmes, focusing on their inquiry-based approach and how they encourage an 'inquiry mindset' through active student participation. We also explore the team's teaching methods and how they use intentional and scaffolded open-ended questions to spark student curiosity and participation. We discuss the importance of making students feel heard, encouraging them to share thoughts, and creating a positive, participatory learning environment. We also talk about MoAD's unique professional development model, built on collaboration, continuous learning, and reflective practices. We explore 'slow looking pd' where the team think and learn together by reflecting on various provocations and questions (including episodes of The Art Engager!). 'Slow Looking PD' is a deliberate practice that helps the team at MoAD to improve how they teach and support students. Throughout the episode, Steph shares lots of strategies for student engagement and reflective growth. Whether you're interested in engaging with students, innovative teaching methods, or a facilitation-focused approach to team PD, there are so many takeaways from this episode. Links Museum Educators Facebook group Instagram @stephi_smith_inquirer | |||
| Engaging and connecting with young people in museums | 23 Nov 2023 | 00:23:02 | |
In today's new episode I'm talking to researcher and practice assistant, Leonie Delaey, discussing how museums engage with young people through youth boards and organisations. Leonie come from a rich background in socio-cultural studies and Cultural Management. She currently serves as a Practice Assistant for the Master in Cultural Management program at the University of Antwerp. This year, Leonie completed her master's thesis, centring around the theme of youth engagement in museums. In today’s conversation:
Listen in to explore the challenges, strategies, and potential solutions around the subject of youth engagement in museums. Links Download my free Slow Art Guide Download the Ultimate Thinking Routine List Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook Download the free guide - how to look at art (slowly) Curated newsletter by Claire Bown Get in touch with Leonie Delaey to discuss her research on LinkedIn | |||
| Radical Rest: Beating Burnout in Museum Education with Kate Oliver | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:31:33 | |
In today's episode , we explore the urgent need for rest in the cultural sector, specifically in museum education. My guest, educator and leader, Kate Oliver, a freelancer with extensive experience in museums and learning, recently co-founded the "Radical Rest Network" to address this critical issue. In today's conversation, Kate shares insights into the Radical Rest Network's research, which revealed widespread exhaustion and burnout within the sector. She discusses how the passion and commitment of museum educators, combined with unending demands, limited resources, and unrealistic expectations, contributes to our field's sense of fatigue. Kate emphasises the importance of collective, systemic change, highlighting strategies for organisations and individuals to prioritise rest. She also introduces the concept of "radical" rest, signalling the need for significant, collaborative changes to address the burnout crisis. Listen to our conversation to discover practical tips for rest and how the Radical Rest Network is fostering a cultural shift towards a more balanced and sustainable approach to work and well-being in museum education. Links Article summarising the Radical Rest project & research: https://www.anewdirection.org.uk/blog/radical-rest-for-the-cultural-sector Sign up for the Radical Rest Network: https://forms.gle/kaLvPzRRQmgbyQaS7 Connect with Kate Oliver on LinkedIn Email Kate Oliver Other great places to learn more: The fabulous Nap Ministry's "Rest as Resistance": https://www.instagram.com/thenapministry/ GLAM Cares - wellbeing support for museum community engagement professionals: https://glamcaresnetwork.wordpress.com/ Four-day-week global trial results & how to advocate for: https://www.4dayweek.com/ How to unionise to improve working conditions: https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7gm4j/how-to-unionise-your-workplace Low-cost counselling service for individuals who work in the Arts: https://www.wellbeinginthearts.org.uk/how-we-help-individuals/ Journal of Museum Education 2023 Special Virtual Issue: I QUIT!: ACKNOWLEDGING BURNOUT AND THE NEED FOR EMPATHY AND SELF-CARE IN MUSEUM EDUCATION | |||
| Exploring The Art of Noticing with Rob Walker | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:37:48 | |
Today I’m talking to Rob Walker, author of The Art of Noticing and its spinoff newsletter. He’s a columnist for Fast Company, a longtime contributor to The New York Times and many other publications. His latest book, co-edited with Joshua Glenn, is “Lost Objects: 50 Stories About The Things We Miss and Why They Matter.” In today’s conversation Rob shares how he got into this work around noticing and paying attention to things. We discuss what’s wrong with our attention these days and debate whether noticing is a habit, a mindset or a skill. We talk about some of the 131 different ideas for noticing in The Art of Noticing and discuss specific contexts where noticing can be particularly rewarding We also talk about museums, about how we can get more out of museum visits by noticing the ‘wrong’ things, following our curiosity, and spending more time with less objects. We wind up talking about his most recent project and book “Lost Objects’ which explores the personal significance of objects, especially those that are lost, stolen, or discarded. We talk about the value of noticing and appreciating objects that often go unnoticed, highlighting how these objects serve as tools for connecting with people and the world around us. I really enjoyed talking to Rob - hope you enjoy it too! Links Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook Download the free guide - how to look at art (slowly) Curated newsletter by Claire Bown Rob's newsletter is at robwalker.substack.com. Rob's books: The Art of Noticing and his latest book, co-edited with Joshua Glenn, Lost Objects: 50 Stories About The Things We Miss and Why They Matter | |||
| Help! My group doesn't want to participate... | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:21:53 | |
Today, I'm responding to a question I get asked a lot: How do you approach groups that are more used to a traditional approach and say they don't want to participate? How can we work with these expectations while delivering an engaging and educational museum experience? In this episode, I'm exploring some of the reasons behind resistance to participation and offering some solutions. From setting clear expectations and creating an inclusive atmosphere to gradual introductions, building trust, and using gentle questions, you'll find lots of ideas here. Learn how adaptability is the key to fostering participation and why understanding, patience, and responsiveness are crucial in bridging the gap between traditional and interactive museum experiences. Listen in to find out more! And if you have a question that you'd like me to answer, get in touch! Links Episode 44 The 4 Elements of a Great Introduction Episode 42 How to Read a Group Episode 69 How to Use Body Language to Create Engagement Download the Ultimate Thinking Routine List Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook Download the free guide - how to look at art (slowly) Curated newsletter by Claire Bown | |||
| Activating the Art Museum for Healthcare Professionals: | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:49:50 | |
In today's episode, Claire Bown engages in conversation with the authors of a groundbreaking new book, "Activating the Art Museum: Designing Experiences for the Health Professions." Ruth Slavin, Corinne Zimmermann, and Ray Williams share their insights into the powerful intersection of art and healthcare. This book is the first-ever guide to creating art museum experiences tailored specifically for healthcare professionals' development and well-being. In this conversation Ruth, Corinne, and Ray delve into their motivations for writing the book, even amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. We explore why art museums are a natural fit for supporting healthcare, how critical thinking about art can enhance medicine, and the practical methods and frameworks they provide, like Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS). We'll also learn how art fosters empathy, improves teamwork, and addresses bias in healthcare. Plus, discover the calming influence of art museums, the advantages of mindfulness in healthcare, and how these experiences benefit everyone involved, from healthcare workers to patients and the healthcare field as a whole. Links Short description of book Activating the Art Museum: Designing Experiences for the Health Professions is the first book to address theory and practice connecting art museums and healthcare. Chapters address key topics including tolerating ambiguity; empathy; interprofessional teamwork; confronting bias; the power of story; caring for the spirit; wellbeing and mindfulness. Link to publishers website Activating the Art Museum: Designing Experiences for the Health Professions Discount flyer link for those interested in purchasing Additional links for learning opportunities
Bios Ruth Slavin has thirty years of leadership experience in art museums, most recently as deputy... | |||
| The power of inquiry, curiosity and questioning with Trevor MacKenzie | 30 May 2024 | 00:36:37 | |
My guest today, Trevor MacKenzie is an experienced teacher, author, keynote speaker and inquiry consultant who has worked in schools throughout North America, Asia, Australia, South Africa and Europe. Trevor’s day job is as a high school English teacher in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, He teaches from an inquiry stance, guided by specific values and beliefs. In addition, Trevor is also an author, speaker and consultant, travelling worldwide to help schools implement inquiry-based teaching structures and frameworks. Trevor’s new book Inquiry Mindset Questions Edition is out imminently and because questions are a favourite subject of mine, I had to invite him onto the podcast to talk about it. I’ve known Trevor for a few years now since we connected on social media through shared interests and enthusiasms. Trevor is an advocate and champion for inquiry-based learning, generously supporting the work of many educators in the field, including me, and he is well known for his kindness, alongside his expertise. Listen to find out more about:
There’s so much in our conversation from fostering curiosity, agency, active listening and the connections between Trevor’s work and our work in museums. What can we learn from each other? Where are the crossovers? Listen to our conversation to discover more about the power of inquiry, curiosity and so much more. Episode Links:Episode webpage Trevor MacKenzie's website: https://www.trevormackenzie.com Inquiry Mindset Questions Edition: https://www.trevormackenzie.com/inquiry-mindset-questions-edition https://www.trevormackenzie.com/posts/2024/4/14/announcing-inquiry-mindset-questions-edition Trevor MacKenzie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trev_mackenzie/ Trevor MacKenzie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-mackenzie-37103b261/ The Art Engager Links:Sign up for my Curated newsletter - a fortnightly dose of cultural inspiration Join the | |||
| Engagement for All: SEND in museums with Sam Bowen | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:49:41 | |
This week we're exploring engagement for all with Sam Bowen, a passionate advocate for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) inclusion in museums. Sam shares her extensive experience in the museum sector and explains how her role as a mother to a child with SEND has fuelled her advocacy work. Highlights:
About Sam Bowen: Sam delivers training globally to the museum and cultural sector on all aspects of welcoming children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She also speaks at conferences, write articles and mentor museums on organisational change in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Sam has worked in the Museum sector for 25 years during which time she's been a Curator, Education Manager and Museum Development Officer. She brings this knowledge, combined with her lived experience as a SEND parent, to support museums as a freelance consultant. She is the founder of the SEND in Museums campaign, author of the Special Schools and Museums toolkit and creator of www.sendinmuseums.org, a sector advocacy and guidance resource. In 2021 Sam was named the Radical Change Maker in the (UK) Museum Association’s Museums Change Lives awards. Her commitment to museums is to help them become accessible to the 9% of the UK child population who are SEND and who deserve equity in cultural engagement. Links www.sendinmuseums.org: a sector advocacy and guidance resource. Sam Bowen website: www.sambowen.co.uk Sam Bowen on Twitter: @makedoand SEND & @SENDinMuseums | |||
| Getting Started with Inquiry-Based Learning in the Museum | 31 Aug 2023 | 00:24:56 | |
Museum education is evolving, and so are the ways we engage our audiences. The days of traditional lecture-style tours are numbered, as more and more museums offer more dynamic, participant-driven, discussion-based experiences. Whether you're just starting out with inquiry-based learning in the museum or looking to enhance your existing approach, this episode is for you. It’s packed with actionable tips and strategies to guide you. I'm going to share practical insights that will help you overcome common fears, embrace the unknown, and confidently step into the realm of discussion-based inquiry-based programs. Here are my top 3 tips to get you started. Links VTMO Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Courses Download the Ultimate Thinking Routine List Download the free guide - how to look at art (slowly) Curated newsletter by Claire Bown | |||
| Disrupting the art museum experience | 24 Aug 2023 | 00:53:00 | |
Today, I'm joined by Rachel Nicholson (Director, Visitor Engagement & Research at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art) and Christine Murray (Head of Content at Art Processors) to discuss an art experience that revolutionises the way visitors interact with Impressionist art. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has collaborated with Art Processors to bring to life "A Beautiful Disruption: Experiencing the Bloch Galleries," a sensorial digital journey that forges personal connections with Impressionist masterpieces and their creators. This innovative encounter leverages existing gallery technology to lead visitors through a hands-free, 'eyes-up' experience, guided by dynamic lighting and immersive audio cues. It blends technology, storytelling, and sensory elements, creating deeper engagement with Impressionist art and, at the same time, disrupting the conventional museum experience. This immersive experience encourages visitors to actively explore and engage with the art, allowing them to choose their own path and connect with paintings that resonate with them personally. This innovative approach creates a communal and social experience, transforming the way visitors interact with and appreciate art within the gallery setting. Links Christine Murray Linked In Rediscovering joy and human connection with the Impressionists Christine’s recent documentary “Feelings Are Facts” | |||