For Arts' Sake

In this episode we are speaking with Dr. Jenny Newell, Curator for Climate Change at the Australian Museum in Sydney. Join us as we discuss the unique role that museums and cultural institutions can play in tackling the climate crisis and learn about some inspiring initiatives.

Join museum educator Claire Brown in exploring the power of slow looking and Visible Thinking in museums, and discover how these approaches can enhance visitors' enjoyment and understanding of artworks.

In this bonus episode, Alina and James chat with David Dawson from Wiltshire Museum about the struggles and success of running an ambitious independent museum.

This episode features an interview with Sarah Cowie, at the time the Engagement Manager for National Museums Scotland. Julia and Alina spoke with Sarah about working across multiple museums at once, the importance of finding interesting role models for young visitors, and strategies for keeping audiences engaged, visit after visit. Since this interview was recorded, Sarah has moved into a new role with the National Trust.

In this week’s episode, Alina and James speak with Anna Petrova from Odesa Fine Arts Museum. At just 22 years old, Anna is already making a name for herself in arts and culture, currently working as the head of excursions at one of Odesa’s principal art galleries. Anna’s enthusiasm for museums shines through as she shares her experiences working in “the pearl of the pearl” of Ukraine, her love of art, and her hopes for the future.

This time on For Arts’ Sake, Alina and James are joined by Sarah Creed. Sarah is currently the Exhibitions Project Manager at the Design Museum, but has experience in a wide variety of roles across a huge range of museums, galleries, and heritage sites. Over the course of the interview, Sarah shares her experiences and expertise on topics including museum audiences, weird exhibition pieces, and finding time for her hobbies.

In the first episode of a very exciting international season, James and Alina chat with Lizzie Peabody. Lizzie is a professional storyteller, audio producer, and host of the Smithsonian Institution’s Sidedoor podcast. This conversation dives into the art of storytelling, the importance of building narratives, and some ways we can reimagine how museums can reach out to their audiences.

In this special bonus episode, we chat with Dr. Dominique Bouchard, Head of Learning and Interpretation at English Heritage. Dominique shares insights from her fifteen years of experience leading public programming and exhibitions, and explores ideas of how museums and heritage can help communities tell their own stories.

We talk with Louise McAward-White, Collections Systems Specialist at the British Film Institute (BFI) and co-founder of Fair Museum Jobs, about improving collections systems at the BFI and contributing to a more equitable practice in museum employment.