1
00:00:09,990 --> 00:00:13,059
Hello and welcome to
The Art Engager podcast.

2
00:00:13,580 --> 00:00:18,509
I'm Claire Bown, here to help you
create more engaging experiences

3
00:00:18,869 --> 00:00:21,630
in museums and cultural spaces.

4
00:00:21,689 --> 00:00:26,669
This podcast is all about unlocking
the potential of engagement.

5
00:00:27,119 --> 00:00:32,500
We'll be exploring key practices
that transform how you connect with

6
00:00:32,610 --> 00:00:35,830
art, objects, people, and ideas.

7
00:00:36,385 --> 00:00:41,845
Together we'll dive into techniques
that spark curiosity, foster dialogue,

8
00:00:42,175 --> 00:00:44,335
and build deeper connections.

9
00:00:44,905 --> 00:00:47,454
Let's get started with today's episode.

10
00:00:48,744 --> 00:00:57,754
Hello, and welcome to a new
episode of The Art Engager.

11
00:00:58,345 --> 00:01:00,955
Today, I've got another
solo episode for you.

12
00:01:01,324 --> 00:01:05,375
This week, I'm focusing on one of
the key Questioning Practices from

13
00:01:05,375 --> 00:01:10,725
my book, The Art Engager, Reimagining
Guided Experiences in Museums.

14
00:01:11,265 --> 00:01:17,185
In this episode, we'll be exploring The
Universal Questioning Practice in detail.

15
00:01:17,425 --> 00:01:22,395
We'll look at how it came about and how
you can use it with art and objects.

16
00:01:23,090 --> 00:01:28,930
And if you haven't already, do go back and
listen to the last episode, episode 1 3 6,

17
00:01:29,260 --> 00:01:35,050
all about what Questioning Practices are,
why I created them, and how they can help

18
00:01:35,050 --> 00:01:38,720
you to create engaging museum experiences.

19
00:01:40,130 --> 00:01:42,760
And you can now support The
Art Engager through a simple

20
00:01:42,810 --> 00:01:45,160
monthly subscription on Patreon.

21
00:01:45,570 --> 00:01:50,569
So if you've benefited from the content
on this podcast and want to help keep

22
00:01:50,569 --> 00:01:55,179
it going strong into the future, please
consider supporting us each month.

23
00:01:55,429 --> 00:02:00,139
Your support will ensure I can
continue bringing you engaging content.

24
00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:03,270
You'll find all the
details in the show notes.

25
00:02:03,970 --> 00:02:05,630
Now let's get on with today's show.

26
00:02:07,529 --> 00:02:11,970
I'm so happy that my book The Art
Engager is now out into the world.

27
00:02:12,380 --> 00:02:15,890
Thank you to everyone who has
reached out over the past couple

28
00:02:15,890 --> 00:02:20,170
of weeks to say congratulations and
to let me know you bought the book.

29
00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:25,850
I've really loved seeing photos of
The Art Engager in new homes all over

30
00:02:25,850 --> 00:02:30,250
the world and I've loved hearing about
how much you're enjoying reading it.

31
00:02:30,740 --> 00:02:35,290
A few stats, The Art Engager has been a
number one new release and a number one

32
00:02:35,300 --> 00:02:40,939
bestseller in its categories on Amazon
and on the same day also made it to

33
00:02:40,939 --> 00:02:43,239
the top 100 books in the Netherlands.

34
00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:46,799
So please help me spread
the word about the book.

35
00:02:46,980 --> 00:02:48,879
You can do this in a number of ways.

36
00:02:49,089 --> 00:02:53,670
You can write a short review of The
Art Engager on Amazon, Goodreads,

37
00:02:53,745 --> 00:02:55,475
or your favorite book platform.

38
00:02:55,835 --> 00:02:59,955
You can post a photo or a video on
social media with The Art Engager.

39
00:02:59,965 --> 00:03:03,964
Maybe it's the book arriving,
or your favorite quotes, or

40
00:03:03,964 --> 00:03:07,894
maybe some of the Questioning
Practices in action at your museum.

41
00:03:07,975 --> 00:03:11,255
I'd love to see it, so do tag me in.

42
00:03:11,690 --> 00:03:15,909
You can also share The Art Engager
with friends and colleagues, or

43
00:03:15,909 --> 00:03:19,810
maybe you want to suggest the
book for your next book club read.

44
00:03:20,219 --> 00:03:24,940
If you do, I'd be happy to
join a virtual Q& A session.

45
00:03:25,409 --> 00:03:31,899
And last but not least, come to our online
book launch event on 12th of November.

46
00:03:32,159 --> 00:03:33,750
2024.

47
00:03:34,099 --> 00:03:38,329
It's going to be taking place
at 6pm Central European Time.

48
00:03:38,349 --> 00:03:41,610
I'll put the details for the launch
event in the show notes so that

49
00:03:41,610 --> 00:03:46,360
you can sign up and I'll also put
a link to buy the book there too.

50
00:03:46,409 --> 00:03:49,990
So as we discussed last week,
The Art Engager introduces you

51
00:03:49,990 --> 00:03:52,589
to 10 Questioning Practices.

52
00:03:53,149 --> 00:03:55,349
And Questioning Practices, what are they?

53
00:03:55,349 --> 00:03:59,674
Well, they are structured sets of
questions or prompts designed to

54
00:03:59,674 --> 00:04:04,824
guide inquiry, stimulate critical
thinking, and facilitate learning.

55
00:04:05,065 --> 00:04:09,184
They help educators, like you
and me, facilitate discussions

56
00:04:09,404 --> 00:04:16,140
about art and objects and engage
participants deeply in the process.

57
00:04:16,680 --> 00:04:22,040
In this episode, we'll look at The
Universal Questioning Practice in detail.

58
00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:28,580
The Universal is an all purpose and
versatile Questioning Practice that

59
00:04:28,580 --> 00:04:34,089
can be applied to all types of art and
objects and is suitable for every kind

60
00:04:34,089 --> 00:04:36,720
of guided experience in any museum.

61
00:04:36,790 --> 00:04:38,550
It really is universal.

62
00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,130
It uses four questions.

63
00:04:41,630 --> 00:04:43,650
One, what do you notice?

64
00:04:44,180 --> 00:04:46,629
Two, what questions come to mind?

65
00:04:47,059 --> 00:04:49,400
Three, what might this be about?

66
00:04:49,859 --> 00:04:52,990
And four, what insights did you gain?

67
00:04:53,780 --> 00:04:56,889
So The Universal evolved from
my research into questioning

68
00:04:56,889 --> 00:04:59,599
strategies during my master's thesis.

69
00:05:00,089 --> 00:05:04,604
Through studying various questioning
frameworks both within and beyond

70
00:05:04,645 --> 00:05:10,945
museums, I found that the components of
a successful universal framework follow a

71
00:05:10,945 --> 00:05:17,465
structured progression from observation to
inquiry, interpretation, and reflection.

72
00:05:18,385 --> 00:05:22,715
And The Universal echoes this
structure of a well rounded discussion,

73
00:05:23,035 --> 00:05:26,705
something I talk about in the
book called the Discussion Cycle.

74
00:05:27,185 --> 00:05:32,505
So the four steps in The Universal,
enhance observation skills, encourage

75
00:05:32,534 --> 00:05:38,325
critical thinking, facilitate
interpretation, and promote reflection.

76
00:05:39,265 --> 00:05:45,094
And from my experience facilitating art
and object inquiries using The Universal,

77
00:05:45,444 --> 00:05:51,175
it's the combination of these four steps
together that creates the most engaging

78
00:05:51,344 --> 00:05:53,724
and thought provoking discussions.

79
00:05:54,890 --> 00:05:56,409
So, how to use it.

80
00:05:57,080 --> 00:06:01,550
This Questioning Practice is
intended to be used universally

81
00:06:01,820 --> 00:06:06,320
with all types of groups and with
all types of artworks and objects.

82
00:06:06,330 --> 00:06:09,510
It can be used with a
huge variety of materials.

83
00:06:09,530 --> 00:06:15,050
I've used The Universal with paintings,
sculpture, historical design and everyday

84
00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:21,270
objects, out and about in nature and with
buildings to name but a few examples.

85
00:06:22,120 --> 00:06:24,300
It works just as well.

86
00:06:24,594 --> 00:06:29,645
in art museums, as it does in
historical, ethnographical, science

87
00:06:29,645 --> 00:06:32,235
museums, and historic houses.

88
00:06:32,555 --> 00:06:39,175
It is adaptable, easy to use, and
naturally leads to open ended inquiry

89
00:06:39,224 --> 00:06:42,525
amongst all types of participant groups.

90
00:06:43,044 --> 00:06:47,465
And it can also be applied in a wide
variety of different situations,

91
00:06:47,474 --> 00:06:50,424
circumstances, and environments.

92
00:06:50,924 --> 00:06:56,270
The four simple stages: Look,
Question, Interpret, Reflect,

93
00:06:56,669 --> 00:07:01,879
guide and focus conversations
around art and objects seamlessly.

94
00:07:02,490 --> 00:07:07,349
So instead of feeling stuck in a program
and wondering what question to ask next,

95
00:07:07,620 --> 00:07:13,039
you can lean on the logical structure
of The Universal to support you.

96
00:07:14,319 --> 00:07:18,729
So as this is a core Questioning
Practice and the first one you should

97
00:07:18,729 --> 00:07:23,409
get to know, today we're going to have
an in depth look at how to use it.

98
00:07:23,979 --> 00:07:28,080
So there are four stages, as
we've already talked about, Look,

99
00:07:28,159 --> 00:07:31,549
Question, Interpret, and Reflect.

100
00:07:32,049 --> 00:07:38,169
But before you ask any questions,
ask participants to first observe,

101
00:07:38,229 --> 00:07:42,039
observe the artwork or object in
front of them for a short time.

102
00:07:42,289 --> 00:07:43,690
period of time.

103
00:07:44,489 --> 00:07:48,599
Now, as we've talked about before
on this podcast, this can take place

104
00:07:48,619 --> 00:07:54,310
individually and in silence, or as a
discussion in pairs, or the educator

105
00:07:54,310 --> 00:07:59,539
can guide the observation for the group
using a variety of different techniques.

106
00:08:00,000 --> 00:08:03,550
This period of looking is very important.

107
00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:09,700
So, after a period of time spent looking,
ask the question, What do you notice?

108
00:08:10,309 --> 00:08:15,369
So this simple question encourages
full observation and description.

109
00:08:15,719 --> 00:08:20,879
It allows participants to build an
inventory of details and helps them

110
00:08:20,879 --> 00:08:23,159
to avoid jumping to conclusion.

111
00:08:23,859 --> 00:08:29,190
Observation sets the stage the foundation
for deeper inquiry by ensuring that

112
00:08:29,260 --> 00:08:31,670
all participants see the whole picture.

113
00:08:33,569 --> 00:08:37,869
And the first question in The Universal
sets the stage for the second question.

114
00:08:38,299 --> 00:08:42,859
You'll find that after a period of
time spent observing and describing,

115
00:08:42,869 --> 00:08:47,206
your group will naturally move
towards asking questions and

116
00:08:47,206 --> 00:08:50,410
wondering about the artwork or object.

117
00:08:51,329 --> 00:08:56,050
So question two is, what
questions come to mind?

118
00:08:57,220 --> 00:09:02,280
So after describing the artwork,
invite participants to ask questions.

119
00:09:02,790 --> 00:09:08,750
So as I said, this second step mirrors
the natural curiosity that arises

120
00:09:08,790 --> 00:09:11,040
when you look at art or objects.

121
00:09:11,650 --> 00:09:17,210
And sharing questions helps to reveal
what participants are curious about.

122
00:09:17,589 --> 00:09:23,550
And in turn, it also opens up  new
lines of inquiry, and it also gives

123
00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:29,030
us as educators space to share
relevant knowledge when we need to.

124
00:09:30,980 --> 00:09:35,409
And by these first two stages, so
observing, describing, and then

125
00:09:35,409 --> 00:09:40,649
wondering fully, you will have
plenty of ideas on which to base

126
00:09:40,709 --> 00:09:43,519
interpretations in the third step.

127
00:09:44,499 --> 00:09:45,229
So let's move on.

128
00:09:45,579 --> 00:09:46,819
to step number three.

129
00:09:47,240 --> 00:09:51,010
The third question is,
what might this be about?

130
00:09:52,349 --> 00:09:57,929
So this third broad and open
question allows participants to

131
00:09:57,929 --> 00:10:02,979
interpret the object or artwork
from multiple perspectives and

132
00:10:03,099 --> 00:10:05,710
crucially it can be customized.

133
00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:08,670
So there are several different
types of interpretation that

134
00:10:08,670 --> 00:10:12,740
we can focus on when we create
discussions around art and objects.

135
00:10:12,750 --> 00:10:15,399
It might be thematic,
symbolic, contextual,

136
00:10:15,810 --> 00:10:18,099
stylistic, personal, and so on.

137
00:10:18,599 --> 00:10:23,965
So by modifying the question, you
can guide your participants to engage

138
00:10:23,975 --> 00:10:28,775
with the object in a way that aligns
with your goals, or in a way that

139
00:10:28,775 --> 00:10:30,694
resonates more deeply with them.

140
00:10:31,595 --> 00:10:37,074
As with any variation, I would always
encourage you to get to know the

141
00:10:37,074 --> 00:10:42,664
question as it is written first,
before you start experimenting.

142
00:10:43,904 --> 00:10:48,435
And this brings us to the final
question, what insights did you gain?

143
00:10:48,989 --> 00:10:55,219
So this final step brings the discussion
full circle by allowing participants

144
00:10:55,219 --> 00:10:57,489
to reflect on their experience.

145
00:10:57,819 --> 00:11:02,999
It's an open ended question that
encourages participants to consolidate

146
00:11:03,000 --> 00:11:07,589
their thoughts, share personal
responses, and to reflect on their

147
00:11:07,630 --> 00:11:10,945
observations, the interactions that
have happened, and any insights.

148
00:11:10,945 --> 00:11:14,604
And this step is important.

149
00:11:14,624 --> 00:11:18,334
It promotes metacognition and
it really helps to enrich the

150
00:11:18,334 --> 00:11:23,774
experience by asking participants
to think about the process, what has

151
00:11:23,784 --> 00:11:26,004
happened and their learning journey.

152
00:11:28,380 --> 00:11:33,240
So now that we've looked at the four
steps, what about some tips for using it?

153
00:11:33,800 --> 00:11:39,230
So I recommend getting to know The
Universal before you introduce any other

154
00:11:39,230 --> 00:11:41,700
Questioning Practices into the mix.

155
00:11:42,149 --> 00:11:46,619
So knowing The Universal really
well will enhance your ability to

156
00:11:46,620 --> 00:11:50,399
facilitate engaging discussions
around art and objects.

157
00:11:50,409 --> 00:11:55,920
It really lays the foundations
for productive museum inquiry..

158
00:11:56,730 --> 00:12:02,459
In addition, Universal is really easy
to set up and straightforward to use.

159
00:12:02,489 --> 00:12:07,460
It is self explanatory and multi
purpose as the name suggests.

160
00:12:08,020 --> 00:12:12,440
So familiarise yourself with
it exactly as it is written.

161
00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:18,640
Try it out with a variety of different
materials, artworks and objects, and

162
00:12:18,680 --> 00:12:23,755
with a variety of different groups,
even at different times of the day.

163
00:12:24,314 --> 00:12:28,564
Really embrace the process of
the Questioning Practice and the

164
00:12:28,564 --> 00:12:30,995
rich discussion that follows.

165
00:12:31,485 --> 00:12:38,635
Get a feel for the questions and
actively reflect after each use.

166
00:12:39,434 --> 00:12:44,535
And I would urge you to approach
The Universal As a practice,

167
00:12:44,855 --> 00:12:48,645
something we talked about last
week about why I chose the word

168
00:12:48,685 --> 00:12:53,155
practice over routine or framework.

169
00:12:53,364 --> 00:12:58,514
So approach The Universal really
as a practice rather than simply

170
00:12:58,544 --> 00:13:00,955
an activity or an exercise.

171
00:13:01,255 --> 00:13:05,214
Really reflect actively after each use.

172
00:13:05,989 --> 00:13:13,050
And after several sessions it will start
to feel natural, fluid and easy to use.

173
00:13:13,500 --> 00:13:19,739
And the aim of using this over and over
again in a variety of different ways

174
00:13:19,790 --> 00:13:26,660
is to internalize this core Questioning
Practice as part of the invisible

175
00:13:26,680 --> 00:13:28,949
infrastructure of your discussions.

176
00:13:29,930 --> 00:13:35,120
Over time you will naturally Make
it your own while also staying

177
00:13:35,130 --> 00:13:37,410
true to its values and principles.

178
00:13:37,939 --> 00:13:42,630
And once this happens, once you feel
that you've internalized it and you're

179
00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:47,629
starting to make it your own, then you
can start to add new Questioning Practices

180
00:13:47,930 --> 00:13:50,389
to your repertoire to supplement.

181
00:13:50,614 --> 00:13:51,634
The Universal.

182
00:13:54,435 --> 00:13:57,035
So let's recap what we've covered today.

183
00:13:57,504 --> 00:14:01,584
So we've looked at The Universal,
a core Questioning Practice

184
00:14:01,805 --> 00:14:03,824
with four simple steps.

185
00:14:03,905 --> 00:14:08,194
Observation, Inquiry,
Interpretation, Reflection.

186
00:14:09,204 --> 00:14:12,154
There are four questions in The Universal.

187
00:14:12,165 --> 00:14:13,615
What do you notice?

188
00:14:14,255 --> 00:14:15,965
What questions come to mind?

189
00:14:16,709 --> 00:14:18,219
What might this be about?

190
00:14:19,250 --> 00:14:21,800
And what insights did you gain?

191
00:14:22,890 --> 00:14:27,420
The Universal guides meaningful
conversations and can be adapted

192
00:14:27,420 --> 00:14:29,420
with any artwork or object.

193
00:14:29,699 --> 00:14:34,130
Start with The Universal, get
comfortable with it, and then

194
00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:38,699
explore other Questioning Practices
to enhance your discussions.

195
00:14:40,579 --> 00:14:41,879
So that's it for today.

196
00:14:42,049 --> 00:14:44,249
I hope you've enjoyed
exploring The Universal.

197
00:14:44,420 --> 00:14:46,750
Thanks for listening.

198
00:14:47,030 --> 00:14:51,729
Don't forget to check out my book, The
Art Engager, on my website and to pick

199
00:14:51,729 --> 00:14:54,490
up your copy wherever books are sold.

200
00:14:54,889 --> 00:14:59,489
And do join us on November the
12th for the online book launch.

201
00:14:59,549 --> 00:15:01,769
I'll put links in the show notes.

202
00:15:01,900 --> 00:15:03,109
See you next time.

203
00:15:03,500 --> 00:15:03,979
Bye!

204
00:15:03,980 --> 00:15:04,679
You've been

205
00:15:11,060 --> 00:15:14,599
listening to The Art Engager
podcast with me, Claire Bown.

206
00:15:15,330 --> 00:15:19,580
For more resources and
inspiration, go to thinkingmuseum.

207
00:15:19,620 --> 00:15:24,640
com and follow me on social media
at Thinking Museum for regular

208
00:15:24,659 --> 00:15:29,510
insights and practical tips on
the art of engagement in museums.

209
00:15:30,280 --> 00:15:34,000
If you've enjoyed the show, please
share it with others and follow the

210
00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:36,500
podcast so you never miss an episode.

211
00:15:37,270 --> 00:15:39,710
Thanks for listening and
I'll see you next time.