1 00:00:08,430 --> 00:00:14,940 Claire Bown: Hello and welcome to the Art Engager podcast with me, Claire Bown. 2 00:00:15,090 --> 00:00:19,200 I'm here to share techniques and tools to help you engage with your audience 3 00:00:19,290 --> 00:00:22,740 and bring art objects and ideas to life. 4 00:00:23,940 --> 00:00:25,590 So let's dive into this week's show. 5 00:00:30,330 --> 00:00:34,980 Hello, and welcome to a very special episode of The Art Engager. 6 00:00:35,340 --> 00:00:38,700 I'm Claire Bown, and today we are celebrating a real 7 00:00:38,700 --> 00:00:42,000 milestone, our 150th episode. 8 00:00:43,184 --> 00:00:49,334 Now before that, in the last episode, I spoke with Geraldine Collinge, Chief 9 00:00:49,334 --> 00:00:55,785 Executive at Compton Verney, a unique art space in a park located in the uk. 10 00:00:55,964 --> 00:01:00,944 We explored how they're re-imagining art engagement by putting values, 11 00:01:01,175 --> 00:01:07,325 like fun, inclusivity and boldness at the heart of everything they do, we 12 00:01:07,325 --> 00:01:11,945 talked about their play first approach and their multisensory exhibition 13 00:01:11,945 --> 00:01:14,495 that has doubled visitor numbers. 14 00:01:14,854 --> 00:01:19,985 So if you missed it, do go back and listen to episode 1, 4, 9. 15 00:01:20,774 --> 00:01:27,074 And speaking of reimagining, many of the ideas that we explore on this podcast are 16 00:01:27,074 --> 00:01:34,274 also featured in my book, The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums. 17 00:01:34,634 --> 00:01:37,905 Now, if you haven't got your copy yet, you can find it on your 18 00:01:37,905 --> 00:01:42,645 favorite online retailers or order it through your local bookstore. 19 00:01:43,065 --> 00:01:48,255 And if you've enjoyed it, please do leave a review as it really helps other museum 20 00:01:48,255 --> 00:01:51,045 professionals discover these ideas. 21 00:01:51,375 --> 00:01:53,475 So let's get on with today's show. 22 00:01:54,375 --> 00:02:00,195 Now over the course of the last 150 episodes, we've explored so many 23 00:02:00,195 --> 00:02:05,655 different aspects of creating meaningful engagement in museums and cultural 24 00:02:05,655 --> 00:02:12,165 spaces, and today I'm sharing 10 insights about engagement that have emerged 25 00:02:12,165 --> 00:02:15,045 organically over the last four years. 26 00:02:15,375 --> 00:02:20,865 I've combed through the whole list of episodes and re-listened to lots of solo 27 00:02:20,865 --> 00:02:23,785 episodes and guest conversations too. 28 00:02:24,780 --> 00:02:30,090 So let's get started with engagement insight number one, engagement 29 00:02:30,090 --> 00:02:33,630 begins with observation and noticing. 30 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:38,790 So in today's world, we've unfortunately become accustomed 31 00:02:39,060 --> 00:02:41,280 to superficial observation. 32 00:02:42,060 --> 00:02:46,320 Our attention is fragmented and disrupted by technology. 33 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:54,360 We scan, we skim and we scroll, and we are accustomed to observing in a passive way. 34 00:02:55,350 --> 00:03:01,050 And in doing so, we are missing the subtleties and details that enrich 35 00:03:01,140 --> 00:03:03,840 our understanding of our surroundings. 36 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:09,210 So in our guided experiences, we can offer opportunities for 37 00:03:09,210 --> 00:03:15,480 participants to observe, notice, and deeply engage with art and objects. 38 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:21,690 We can encourage and cultivate a heightened awareness and attention 39 00:03:21,750 --> 00:03:27,060 to detail using all of the senses to connect with what we are looking at, 40 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:33,720 and we can use these observations and insights as the basis for all discovery. 41 00:03:34,620 --> 00:03:39,510 And so observation and noticing have played such a key role in 42 00:03:39,510 --> 00:03:43,650 the most engaging discussions I've facilitated over the years. 43 00:03:44,130 --> 00:03:48,960 Without noticing details, there is no shared discovery. 44 00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:54,720 So by encouraging participants to observe and describe the details 45 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:59,850 of an artwork or an object, you are laying the foundation for deeper 46 00:03:59,850 --> 00:04:02,520 interpretation and critical thinking. 47 00:04:04,065 --> 00:04:08,505 Objects don't share all their secrets at first glance. 48 00:04:08,805 --> 00:04:13,815 And different layers of meaning and nuance are revealed during 49 00:04:13,815 --> 00:04:16,755 sustained observation and noticing. 50 00:04:17,805 --> 00:04:22,575 So if I was only allowed to give you one piece of advice, this would be the one 51 00:04:22,575 --> 00:04:25,875 that I would choose over and over again. 52 00:04:26,175 --> 00:04:30,165 This is the easiest, most straightforward and most useful 53 00:04:30,165 --> 00:04:32,625 piece of engagement advice ever. 54 00:04:33,795 --> 00:04:37,515 Engagement begins with observation and noticing. 55 00:04:39,345 --> 00:04:41,385 So let's go to insight number two. 56 00:04:42,315 --> 00:04:45,705 Not all questions are created equal. 57 00:04:47,100 --> 00:04:51,430 So if you ask any museum educator about engagement, they'll mention 58 00:04:51,430 --> 00:04:56,560 questions, they'll say that asking good questions is the cornerstone 59 00:04:56,830 --> 00:04:59,950 of any engaging museum program. 60 00:05:00,234 --> 00:05:02,935 But there's more to it than you might think. 61 00:05:03,054 --> 00:05:06,924 So if you have a good questioning technique and you ask well 62 00:05:06,924 --> 00:05:12,325 worded, thoughtful questions, you can instantly engage people. 63 00:05:12,354 --> 00:05:14,335 You can provoke their curiosity. 64 00:05:14,695 --> 00:05:18,174 You can find out what they already know, and you can make 65 00:05:18,174 --> 00:05:20,484 your programs more interactive. 66 00:05:20,604 --> 00:05:21,655 That's all good. 67 00:05:22,375 --> 00:05:26,664 But on the other hand, questions can also work against you. 68 00:05:27,835 --> 00:05:33,025 So I've been fascinated by questions for years and have devoted many 69 00:05:33,025 --> 00:05:34,825 episodes to the subject here. 70 00:05:35,125 --> 00:05:41,065 It's actually about 8% of the 150 episodes on this subject of questioning. 71 00:05:41,485 --> 00:05:47,515 And I keep returning to this topic because I know that questions, alongside the 72 00:05:47,515 --> 00:05:53,965 other seven practices that I talk about, can transform an entire experience. 73 00:05:54,984 --> 00:05:59,635 So when we're intentional about our questions, we create better 74 00:05:59,635 --> 00:06:02,664 conditions for meaningful experiences. 75 00:06:03,285 --> 00:06:08,265 But in reality, few of us are actually trained or receive training in 76 00:06:08,265 --> 00:06:11,295 creating and sequencing questions. 77 00:06:12,405 --> 00:06:17,775 Using questions in an organized way, gradually building each question 78 00:06:17,775 --> 00:06:23,295 on the previous one is essential in a balanced discussion, but 79 00:06:23,295 --> 00:06:25,965 it's a difficult skill to master. 80 00:06:26,994 --> 00:06:30,804 Which is why I spent a long time developing a repertoire of 81 00:06:30,804 --> 00:06:35,905 Questioning Practices designed specifically for museum educators. 82 00:06:36,414 --> 00:06:40,765 So questioning practices are structures to actively and 83 00:06:40,765 --> 00:06:43,674 intentionally support question use. 84 00:06:44,155 --> 00:06:48,719 They also foster, participate participation and engagement 85 00:06:48,780 --> 00:06:50,440 on your guided experiences. 86 00:06:51,340 --> 00:06:55,360 You can find out more about QP's in episode 1 3 6. 87 00:06:56,020 --> 00:07:00,310 And if you want to dive deeper into questioning techniques, check out episode 88 00:07:00,310 --> 00:07:09,070 87 on asking more open-ended questions, or episode 1 3 0 on the power of inquiry 89 00:07:09,070 --> 00:07:12,340 and curiosity with guest Trevor Mackenzie. 90 00:07:14,665 --> 00:07:19,345 So the third insight: connection before content. 91 00:07:20,725 --> 00:07:24,775 So connection before content is a phrase that you'll hear me saying 92 00:07:24,775 --> 00:07:27,385 time and time again on this podcast. 93 00:07:27,805 --> 00:07:33,625 It often comes up as the one key takeaway for participants on my workshops too. 94 00:07:34,015 --> 00:07:39,235 And I first encountered this idea, it's not my idea, it's from organizational 95 00:07:39,235 --> 00:07:45,285 designer Peter Block, and it's become central to everything I do in museum 96 00:07:45,285 --> 00:07:51,765 settings and what it means in practice, it means making a conscious effort to: 97 00:07:51,945 --> 00:07:57,825 first, connect people to each other, so help the group feel like a community. 98 00:07:58,635 --> 00:08:03,620 Second, build genuine rapport between yourself as the 99 00:08:03,625 --> 00:08:06,305 facilitator and participants. 100 00:08:07,530 --> 00:08:12,870 Third, help visitors connect to the museum space and its collection. 101 00:08:14,070 --> 00:08:19,560 Fourth, clarify the purpose of our time together, so connect 102 00:08:19,560 --> 00:08:21,719 people to why they're here. 103 00:08:22,740 --> 00:08:26,849 And fifth, create a warm, welcoming atmosphere where 104 00:08:26,910 --> 00:08:28,505 everyone feels like they belong. 105 00:08:30,330 --> 00:08:36,059 So putting connection before content might require a mindset shift, and it might 106 00:08:36,059 --> 00:08:41,694 also feel a little bit counterintuitive when we have limited time with our groups. 107 00:08:43,335 --> 00:08:47,595 I think many of us worry that spending time on connection means 108 00:08:47,595 --> 00:08:52,965 sacrificing content that will run out of time for sharing background 109 00:08:52,965 --> 00:08:55,875 knowledge and contextual information. 110 00:08:56,385 --> 00:09:00,345 But what I've discovered though is exactly the opposite. 111 00:09:01,155 --> 00:09:06,615 So when people feel connected, they actually listen more attentively, 112 00:09:06,885 --> 00:09:12,585 they participate more actively and they remember information better. 113 00:09:13,335 --> 00:09:18,615 So the time 'lost', in speech marks, to building connection is more than 114 00:09:18,615 --> 00:09:24,675 made up for by the improved quality of engagement with the content you do share. 115 00:09:26,204 --> 00:09:30,525 In episode 144, I explored connection making in detail. 116 00:09:30,885 --> 00:09:35,744 It's really worth revisiting this because this principle has such profound 117 00:09:35,744 --> 00:09:41,234 implications for how we approach our guided experiences in museums. 118 00:09:43,545 --> 00:09:47,954 So number four, silence creates space for thinking. 119 00:09:49,214 --> 00:09:56,235 So in our museum programs, we often fill pressure to fill every moment with words. 120 00:09:56,265 --> 00:09:59,564 We may rush to answer our own questions. 121 00:09:59,805 --> 00:10:05,204 We might fill every gap and move quickly from one point to the next. 122 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:10,920 But over the years I've come to see silence as one of the most powerful 123 00:10:10,920 --> 00:10:13,709 tools in our engagement toolkit. 124 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:21,480 So when we ask a thoughtful question and then allow that silence to stretch a 125 00:10:21,480 --> 00:10:28,500 bit, something we might call a productive silence, we're creating space, space 126 00:10:28,500 --> 00:10:34,050 for participants to look, to think, and to formulate their own responses. 127 00:10:34,724 --> 00:10:41,505 And these quiet moments allow for deeper observation, personal connections, 128 00:10:41,834 --> 00:10:47,534 and more thoughtful comments than if we were to rush to fill the void. 129 00:10:49,094 --> 00:10:51,374 Many of us find silence uncomfortable. 130 00:10:51,374 --> 00:10:58,514 We worry that our participants are bored, confused, or expecting us to keep talking. 131 00:10:59,114 --> 00:11:05,504 But I've found that participants actually appreciate small moments to process 132 00:11:05,594 --> 00:11:07,544 what they're seeing and thinking. 133 00:11:08,399 --> 00:11:14,910 And I think becoming comfortable with silence takes practice, but it transforms 134 00:11:14,910 --> 00:11:20,699 the quality of discussions and shows respect for people's thinking processes. 135 00:11:23,129 --> 00:11:29,999 In episodes 95 and 96, I explored how silence is actually a superpower 136 00:11:30,180 --> 00:11:32,159 in our guided experiences. 137 00:11:32,519 --> 00:11:36,899 I shared strategies for overcoming discomfort with silence and 138 00:11:36,899 --> 00:11:42,149 offered lots of practical ways to incorporate more of these valuable 139 00:11:42,180 --> 00:11:45,060 thinking pauses in our programs. 140 00:11:47,264 --> 00:11:53,684 So insight number five, psychological safety unlocks deeper participation. 141 00:11:55,169 --> 00:11:59,249 So, have you ever felt intimidated in a museum? 142 00:12:00,179 --> 00:12:01,349 I know I have. 143 00:12:01,409 --> 00:12:05,129 Even as a professional, as a museum educator, I think 144 00:12:05,129 --> 00:12:08,039 museums can be imposing spaces. 145 00:12:08,429 --> 00:12:14,669 They've got that impressive architecture, sometimes a hushed atmosphere, the layout 146 00:12:14,669 --> 00:12:20,579 is complex and there's a whole new code of behavior that you need to work out. 147 00:12:21,614 --> 00:12:25,814 Now imagine being a participant in a guided experience where you are 148 00:12:25,814 --> 00:12:30,944 not only processing these feelings, but you are also being asked to 149 00:12:30,944 --> 00:12:33,644 speak up in front of strangers. 150 00:12:34,244 --> 00:12:39,134 Now, it's no wonder that many visitors might default to silence 151 00:12:39,285 --> 00:12:46,094 or perhaps to safe, superficial responses, and this is precisely where 152 00:12:46,094 --> 00:12:49,334 psychological safety becomes important. 153 00:12:50,834 --> 00:12:56,114 So psychological safety means creating an environment where people feel it's 154 00:12:56,114 --> 00:13:02,414 okay to ask questions, take risks, and to share their perspectives without 155 00:13:02,414 --> 00:13:05,264 fear of judgment or embarrassment. 156 00:13:06,224 --> 00:13:11,744 So without it, even the most brilliant questions or amazing 157 00:13:11,744 --> 00:13:17,684 artworks may be met with surface level engagement or even silence. 158 00:13:19,020 --> 00:13:24,974 So in episodes 90, 125 and 142. 159 00:13:25,035 --> 00:13:30,675 I explored how to create intellectual comfort, build rapport, and 160 00:13:30,675 --> 00:13:35,505 build trust and psychological safety on guided experiences. 161 00:13:36,224 --> 00:13:40,875 I've found that small actions can make an enormous difference. 162 00:13:40,875 --> 00:13:46,425 So that might be welcoming people individually, validating early 163 00:13:46,425 --> 00:13:49,635 contributions, explicitly stating. 164 00:13:49,919 --> 00:13:55,649 That there are no wrong answers, modeling curiosity rather than 165 00:13:55,649 --> 00:14:01,739 certainty, and responding to all comments with genuine interest. 166 00:14:04,709 --> 00:14:10,379 So insight number six, every challenge is an opportunity. 167 00:14:12,029 --> 00:14:17,729 So in museum work challenges inevitably arise from perhaps the 168 00:14:17,729 --> 00:14:22,769 dreaded tumbleweed moment when a question falls flat, to a group that 169 00:14:22,769 --> 00:14:25,289 might seem reluctant to participate. 170 00:14:26,310 --> 00:14:30,269 Museum spaces are also full of unpredictable moments. 171 00:14:30,689 --> 00:14:35,159 A visitor might ask a challenging question, a planned activity 172 00:14:35,429 --> 00:14:40,439 doesn't resonate, or the space itself presents limitations. 173 00:14:41,594 --> 00:14:46,994 So while we can't always control what happens during our guided experiences, 174 00:14:47,324 --> 00:14:52,604 we can choose to view those moments through a lens of possibility. 175 00:14:53,894 --> 00:14:58,604 So there are lots of useful episodes in the back catalog telling you how 176 00:14:58,604 --> 00:15:04,424 to respond to certain challenges we might encounter, but I think 177 00:15:04,514 --> 00:15:10,904 adopting an experimental mindset might be the most useful advice of all. 178 00:15:12,314 --> 00:15:17,384 So when we adopt an experimental mindset, we change 'problems', 179 00:15:17,534 --> 00:15:20,174 in speech marks, into questions. 180 00:15:21,030 --> 00:15:25,319 So what might this silence be telling me about my pacing? 181 00:15:26,249 --> 00:15:31,409 How might this resistance reveal what the group actually needs? 182 00:15:33,270 --> 00:15:37,829 So the most skilled facilitators, they don't just solve problems. 183 00:15:38,190 --> 00:15:45,210 They approach challenges with genuine curiosity, asking, what can I learn here? 184 00:15:46,739 --> 00:15:51,869 And challenges can actually become the drivers of positive change 185 00:15:51,899 --> 00:15:54,179 and improvement in how we work. 186 00:15:54,539 --> 00:15:59,609 They're the moments that push us to try new approaches, develop new 187 00:15:59,609 --> 00:16:05,339 skills, and ultimately advance our practice in ways that might not happen 188 00:16:05,609 --> 00:16:07,889 when everything is running smoothly. 189 00:16:09,719 --> 00:16:14,279 So I encourage you to view every challenge as an opportunity. 190 00:16:16,964 --> 00:16:17,295 Okay. 191 00:16:17,295 --> 00:16:22,185 Number seven, engagement happens through multiple channels. 192 00:16:24,599 --> 00:16:28,739 So how many ways can we connect with art and objects? 193 00:16:29,219 --> 00:16:31,349 Far more than you might think. 194 00:16:31,349 --> 00:16:35,459 Far more than just through discussion and observation. 195 00:16:35,969 --> 00:16:41,574 I think we often think of engagement in museums as primarily, verbal; the 196 00:16:41,574 --> 00:16:45,564 questions we ask, the discussions we facilitate, but there's 197 00:16:45,564 --> 00:16:47,935 so much more to it than that. 198 00:16:48,384 --> 00:16:55,644 Engagement flows through our senses, our bodies, our emotions, and our creativity. 199 00:16:55,675 --> 00:17:01,749 And this is precisely why Multimodality is one of the eight practices in the 200 00:17:01,749 --> 00:17:07,389 Thinking Museum® Approach because people engage, learn, and express their 201 00:17:07,389 --> 00:17:10,539 understanding in so many different ways. 202 00:17:12,129 --> 00:17:16,749 So multimodality is less about pleasing all of the people all of the 203 00:17:16,749 --> 00:17:22,689 time, and more about offering a wide variety of options for participants to 204 00:17:22,689 --> 00:17:25,539 help them engage with your programs. 205 00:17:25,959 --> 00:17:32,019 So this might be a wide variety of aids, activities and modes of working 206 00:17:32,169 --> 00:17:38,259 in any one session to help appeal to as many participants as possible. 207 00:17:39,384 --> 00:17:46,044 So perhaps incorporating drawing to reveal details our eyes might otherwise miss. 208 00:17:46,584 --> 00:17:52,225 You might want to use creative writing to forge personal connections with artworks 209 00:17:52,584 --> 00:17:58,705 or include slow listening experiences with music to develop deeper attention. 210 00:17:59,334 --> 00:18:04,334 You might want to bring in the sense of smell to evoke memories and emotions, 211 00:18:04,604 --> 00:18:11,024 or even experiment with movement to help participants understand form 212 00:18:11,024 --> 00:18:13,485 and composition through their bodies. 213 00:18:14,774 --> 00:18:20,384 These multimodal approaches enrich everyone's experience. 214 00:18:21,254 --> 00:18:25,934 Now, I was referring there to a lot of episodes in the back catalog that 215 00:18:25,934 --> 00:18:33,704 explore drawing, writing, listening, a sense of smell and movement, and 216 00:18:33,704 --> 00:18:35,984 I'll link to them in the show notes. 217 00:18:38,654 --> 00:18:40,784 Okay, insight number eight. 218 00:18:41,294 --> 00:18:45,254 Less information leads to more understanding. 219 00:18:46,439 --> 00:18:51,659 So many of us feel a responsibility to share our knowledge, to provide 220 00:18:51,659 --> 00:18:56,189 visitors and participants with historical context, technical 221 00:18:56,189 --> 00:18:59,159 details, and background information. 222 00:19:00,159 --> 00:19:02,709 And this impulse comes from a good place. 223 00:19:02,709 --> 00:19:08,499 We want visitors, participants to appreciate the significance 224 00:19:08,709 --> 00:19:09,850 of what they're seeing. 225 00:19:11,169 --> 00:19:17,050 But information overload is the enemy of genuine understanding. 226 00:19:17,350 --> 00:19:23,290 When we shower visitors with facts, dates, and details before they've had a chance to 227 00:19:23,290 --> 00:19:30,340 look, think, and wonder, we often achieve exactly the opposite of what we intend. 228 00:19:31,120 --> 00:19:35,170 Most people forget information when they haven't been challenged to 229 00:19:35,170 --> 00:19:39,490 think about it first or to connect it to what they already know. 230 00:19:40,210 --> 00:19:46,660 Less information strategically shared actually leads to deeper understanding. 231 00:19:47,110 --> 00:19:48,970 Less is always more. 232 00:19:50,605 --> 00:19:56,005 Episode 12 is an oldie, but still so useful and shares best 233 00:19:56,005 --> 00:19:58,225 practices for sharing information. 234 00:19:59,005 --> 00:20:05,035 For a deeper dive on how, when, and if to share information, read the chapter 235 00:20:05,035 --> 00:20:07,675 on intentional information in my book. 236 00:20:07,915 --> 00:20:12,745 You'll also find there the CHOOSE framework, which is a practical tool 237 00:20:12,925 --> 00:20:17,635 for deciding exactly what information to share and what to leave out. 238 00:20:20,740 --> 00:20:26,020 Okay, insight number nine, deliberate practice is how we grow. 239 00:20:27,340 --> 00:20:32,379 So being good at engaging people with art and objects isn't something 240 00:20:32,620 --> 00:20:37,254 that just happens overnight, like any skill worth mastering. 241 00:20:38,155 --> 00:20:44,785 It develops through practice, reflection, and continuous refinement. 242 00:20:45,235 --> 00:20:51,025 We develop our facilitation skills through doing the work, reflecting on how it went 243 00:20:51,445 --> 00:20:53,935 and making adjustments for next time. 244 00:20:55,045 --> 00:21:00,625 And deliberate practice doesn't mean simply repeating what we already do. 245 00:21:01,105 --> 00:21:06,865 It means watching others at work and noticing specific details, how they 246 00:21:06,865 --> 00:21:11,725 phrase questions, how participants respond, how they use silence. 247 00:21:12,385 --> 00:21:18,145 It means creating opportunities to practice in low stake settings, 248 00:21:18,475 --> 00:21:21,955 perhaps in a community of practice with your colleagues, 249 00:21:21,960 --> 00:21:24,324 and you can all offer feedback. 250 00:21:25,149 --> 00:21:30,489 It's about recording our reflections systematically, looking for 251 00:21:30,489 --> 00:21:35,889 patterns over time and setting specific goals for growth. 252 00:21:36,939 --> 00:21:41,949 And I think one huge thing that really transforms our practice is 253 00:21:41,949 --> 00:21:47,770 the commitment to regular reflection, as we explored in episode 29. 254 00:21:48,370 --> 00:21:51,639 So ask yourself three questions. 255 00:21:51,939 --> 00:21:53,409 What went well today? 256 00:21:54,189 --> 00:21:55,989 What could I have done differently? 257 00:21:56,860 --> 00:21:58,689 What might I try next time? 258 00:21:59,889 --> 00:22:04,059 These questions, when we ask them consistently after our programs, 259 00:22:04,299 --> 00:22:08,620 help us learn from experiences and continuously improve. 260 00:22:09,999 --> 00:22:14,559 And I think what sets exceptional facilitators apart isn't 261 00:22:14,559 --> 00:22:16,509 necessarily what they know. 262 00:22:16,959 --> 00:22:20,769 It's their commitment to this ongoing cycle of practice, 263 00:22:20,829 --> 00:22:22,809 reflection and adjustment. 264 00:22:23,349 --> 00:22:28,539 And they see each program not as a performance to perfect, but as another 265 00:22:28,749 --> 00:22:32,409 opportunity to learn, grow, and develop. 266 00:22:33,264 --> 00:22:37,705 And this deliberate approach to practice transforms potential 267 00:22:37,705 --> 00:22:39,864 into excellence over time. 268 00:22:40,405 --> 00:22:44,004 So if you need more inspiration on this subject, do take a 269 00:22:44,004 --> 00:22:47,034 listen to episode 28 or 81. 270 00:22:49,814 --> 00:22:55,875 And the 10th and final insight: engagement happens by design, not by chance. 271 00:22:57,675 --> 00:23:02,445 So creating meaningful engagement in museums doesn't happen by accident. 272 00:23:02,895 --> 00:23:09,135 It requires thoughtful design, careful planning, and purposeful execution. 273 00:23:09,780 --> 00:23:15,419 So the most engaging experiences are crafted with intention at every stage 274 00:23:15,659 --> 00:23:22,050 from the initial Welcome to the final moments, and thoughtful design means 275 00:23:22,050 --> 00:23:28,120 considering the entire visitor journey from the physical route through the museum 276 00:23:28,120 --> 00:23:33,670 to the pacing of activities, from the balance of listening and participating, 277 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:36,940 to the transitions between stops. 278 00:23:38,129 --> 00:23:43,830 So when you plan a guided experience with intention, each element of your 279 00:23:43,830 --> 00:23:47,610 experience works together harmoniously. 280 00:23:47,879 --> 00:23:55,200 The route tells a story, questions build upon one another, activities 281 00:23:55,409 --> 00:24:01,980 deepen engagement progressively, and the conclusion helps participants integrate 282 00:24:02,040 --> 00:24:07,034 what they've discovered and extend their thinking beyond the museum walls. 283 00:24:08,235 --> 00:24:12,405 So this is about creating the conditions for engagement deliberately, 284 00:24:12,584 --> 00:24:14,324 rather than leaving it to chance. 285 00:24:15,945 --> 00:24:20,115 Now for more on designing, engaging experiences across all 286 00:24:20,115 --> 00:24:25,215 three phases, the entry phase, the exploration, and the exit phase. 287 00:24:25,574 --> 00:24:31,574 Explore episodes 44, which is about the four elements of a great introduction, 288 00:24:31,875 --> 00:24:38,679 episode 57, how to end well, and Episode 99, 1 of my favorites, striking 289 00:24:39,014 --> 00:24:41,985 the right pace in museum programs. 290 00:24:43,620 --> 00:24:50,610 So there you have it, 10 essential insights distilled from 150 episodes 291 00:24:50,639 --> 00:24:53,459 of exploring engagement in museums. 292 00:24:53,810 --> 00:24:57,830 I could easily have shared 15 or 20 insights. 293 00:24:58,340 --> 00:25:02,690 But as insight number eight reminds us, less is more. 294 00:25:03,590 --> 00:25:08,330 So looking back at the list, what strikes me most is how these small 295 00:25:08,330 --> 00:25:11,270 shifts can lead to really big changes. 296 00:25:11,540 --> 00:25:16,580 So something as simple as giving people 30 seconds to really look, or 297 00:25:16,610 --> 00:25:22,850 pausing after you ask a question, or spending a moment really connecting with 298 00:25:22,850 --> 00:25:26,000 people before diving into any content. 299 00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:31,235 These tiny adjustments can completely transform an experience. 300 00:25:32,375 --> 00:25:37,595 So small intentional changes in how we observe, question, 301 00:25:37,805 --> 00:25:40,385 connect and design our programs. 302 00:25:40,385 --> 00:25:45,335 These really create the kind of meaningful engagement that stays with people 303 00:25:45,575 --> 00:25:47,915 long after they've left the museum. 304 00:25:49,385 --> 00:25:54,905 So as we look ahead to the next 150 episodes, I wanna thank everyone who's 305 00:25:54,905 --> 00:25:57,245 been part of this journey so far. 306 00:25:57,755 --> 00:26:03,875 Now, one of the reasons I created the Art Engager podcast back in 2021 was 307 00:26:03,875 --> 00:26:10,565 to recognize and elevate the value and importance of museum education work. 308 00:26:10,625 --> 00:26:16,280 I hope this podcast plays a small part in sharing the incredible 309 00:26:16,280 --> 00:26:20,720 work happening in museums around the world with a wider audience. 310 00:26:21,230 --> 00:26:25,970 So whether you've been listening since episode one, or you've just discovered 311 00:26:25,970 --> 00:26:31,760 this podcast, your engagement, your curiosity, really fuel this work. 312 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:37,760 Knowing that this podcast serves as a helpful resource that changes people's 313 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:44,270 practice, that inspires new approaches and sparks fresh ideas, make the work involved 314 00:26:44,270 --> 00:26:46,940 for creating every episode worthwhile. 315 00:26:47,090 --> 00:26:48,050 So thank you. 316 00:26:48,905 --> 00:26:54,005 And I know many of you use the back catalog as a resource, so I've now 317 00:26:54,005 --> 00:26:58,145 created a complete episode list on my website to make it easier 318 00:26:58,205 --> 00:27:00,065 to find exactly what you need. 319 00:27:00,065 --> 00:27:03,725 You can search by keyword or browse chronologically, 320 00:27:03,725 --> 00:27:05,465 whatever works best for you. 321 00:27:05,795 --> 00:27:09,125 I'll link to the resource in the show notes. 322 00:27:10,220 --> 00:27:15,440 And this milestone also feels like the perfect time to ask for your support. 323 00:27:16,010 --> 00:27:21,200 So creating this podcast twice a month involves real costs and time. 324 00:27:21,290 --> 00:27:26,690 And the best way to help sustain this work is through a monthly Patreon subscription. 325 00:27:28,055 --> 00:27:33,395 Now if that's not possible, even a one-time donation makes the difference. 326 00:27:33,785 --> 00:27:39,635 So if you found value in any of these 150 episodes, whether it's changed, 327 00:27:39,635 --> 00:27:44,195 how you facilitate, whether it's inspired a new program, or simply 328 00:27:44,195 --> 00:27:49,695 given you new ideas to try, please consider supporting the Art Engager. 329 00:27:50,295 --> 00:27:53,025 I'll put the details in the show notes. 330 00:27:54,345 --> 00:27:59,955 Finally, don't forget to visit my website to learn more about The Art Engager book 331 00:28:00,255 --> 00:28:03,495 available now, wherever books are sold. 332 00:28:04,235 --> 00:28:05,285 That's it for today. 333 00:28:05,285 --> 00:28:09,515 Thank you so much for joining us on this special episode. 334 00:28:09,815 --> 00:28:11,045 See you next time. 335 00:28:14,525 --> 00:28:19,295 Thank you for listening to the Art Engager podcast with me, Claire Bown. 336 00:28:19,865 --> 00:28:23,645 You can find more art engagement resources by visiting my website, 337 00:28:24,005 --> 00:28:27,545 thinking museum.com, and you can also find me on Instagram. 338 00:28:27,545 --> 00:28:32,740 @thinkingmuseum, where I regularly share tips and tools on how to bring 339 00:28:32,770 --> 00:28:35,710 art to life and engage your audience. 340 00:28:36,850 --> 00:28:41,080 If you've enjoyed this episode, please share with others and subscribe to the 341 00:28:41,080 --> 00:28:43,900 show on your podcast player of choice. 342 00:28:44,830 --> 00:28:47,915 Thank you so much for listening, and I'll see you next time.