Matters of Experience

What does it take to lead and innovate in a small museum setting? In this episode of Matters of Experience, hosts Abigail Honor and Brenda Cowan sit down with Alli Schell, Director of Public Programs at the Marshall Steam Museum, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities of working in small museums. With a career shaped by a deep passion for history and education, Alli shares her journey from being a young museum volunteer to becoming a driving force in the museum community. We delve into her open letter to the American Alliance of Museums, discussing the often-overlooked needs of small museums and the importance of representation and equity in the museum field. Tune in to hear Alli’s inspiring story, creative problem-solving strategies, and advocacy for the small but mighty institutions that play a crucial role in preserving our cultural heritage.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

Marshall Steam Museum

Milton Historical Society

Science After Hours | The Franklin Institute

An open letter to the American Alliance of Museums

Small Museum Association

Introducing SEGD Professional Practice Groups

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

How can museums and cultural institutions become more inclusive and welcoming for all visitors? Join us as we explore this vital question with Beth Redmond-Jones, VP of Exhibitions at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and editor & contributing author of Welcoming Museum Visitors with Unapparent Disabilities. With over 30 years of experience at leading institutions like the San Diego Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Beth shares her insights on designing exhibits that inspire and connect with diverse audiences.Tune in to the episode and learn how universal design can create environments that cater to the needs of all visitors, highlighting the continuous journey toward accessibility and inclusivity.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

Beth Redmond-Jones

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Welcoming Museum Visitors with Unapparent Disabilities

Into the Deep | Exhibition | Monterey Bay Aquarium

Heureka Goes Crazy

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

This week we discuss the fascinating debate on the role of immersive spaces in science museums with Elisabeth Ramm, an associate partner at ATELIER BRÜCKNER and co-founder of the Swiss-based ARTHINKING Association.

Elisabeth shares her insights on how scenography and storytelling can foster creativity, critical thinking, and a sense of wonder. Whether you’re a designer, educator, or science enthusiast, this episode offers a compelling exploration of how immersive spaces can enhance the storytelling of scientific concepts.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

ATELIER BRÜCKNER

Ecsite

Wellcome Collection

Ars Electronica Center

ZOOM CHILDREN'S MUSEUM - Wien

Artistic Residencies | Arts · at · CERN

Fungi Cosmology: a new kingdom and its relevance for the future - Swissnex in Brazil

Futurium

ART+COM Studios | Neo-Natur

Hyundai Motorstudio | ATELIER BRÜCKNER

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

Take a bite out of the world of multi-sensory design with Emilie Baltz, an immersive experience director known for her innovative approach to combining the senses, art, and technology. Discover how Emilie’s work, such as the acclaimed Dream Machine at Liberty Science Center, fosters curiosity and wonder by engaging all the senses. Learn about her passion for community building and how she uses technology as an integral ingredient in her creative process.

Whether you’re a designer, a creative professional, or simply curious about the world of sensory design, this episode offers a wealth of insights and inspiration. Join us for an engaging conversation that celebrates the power of multi-sensory experiences and the importance of human connection in design.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

Emilie Baltz

Dream Machine – Emilie Baltz

Gensler

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

Celebrating our 50th episode!

Join us for a special milestone as we celebrate 50 episodes of Matters of Experience! Abby and Brenda dive into the heart of what makes our profession so unique – and celebrate the incredible guests and topics we’ve explored.

In this episode, “The Muse in Museum,” we reflect on the muses that shape our show. From the creative minds at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art to innovative voices at the Museum of the Future, we uncover the magic behind designed experiences.

A heartfelt thank you to all our guests and supportive listeners. Your insights and stories have made this journey extraordinary. Don’t miss this special episode – listen now and celebrate with us!

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Listen to some of the episodes discussed:

Alex Bitus

Joy Bailey-Bryant

Elif Gokcigdem

Jamie Lawyer

Ellen Lupton

Tom Bowman

Andrea Hadley-Johnson

Jasminko Halilovic

Show Notes:

SEGD

Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum - Lorem Ipsum Corp

The Senses: Design Beyond Vision

Objects of Love, Hope and Fear

War Childhood Museum

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumcorp.com/matters-of-experience.

This week’s guest has a theory that you must have a breakdown before getting a breakthrough. Tune into this week’s episode to discover how Eli Kuslansky, Founding Partner and Chief Strategist at Unified Field, applies this theory to revolutionize museum design. Eli shares his journey from nautical antique appraisals to pioneering digital media in museums, creating evocative, emotion-rich exhibits. Learn how empathy, active listening, and cutting-edge technology come together in his projects and get inspired by his insights into the future of museum experiences.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

Kuslansky Electric

Unified Field

Museum of Tolerance LA | Unified Field

Social Lab

Art Movez

"Like talking to the wind."

Microsoft Café - Cannes Next

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

How can art truly connect with a place and its community? Join Abby and Brenda on Matters of Experience as they dive into this question with artist Melissa McGill. Melissa shares her approach to creating art that resonates authentically with its environment, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections and immersion. Through projects like the Red Regatta in Venice, she illustrates how art can forge meaningful relationships with communities and inspire collective action. Tune in to explore the transformative power of art in public spaces and its potential to foster deeper connections.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

Why an Italian Village Tied Itself to a Mountain

Red Regatta — Melissa McGill

Constellation — Melissa McGill

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

Tim McNeil is a Professor of Design at the University of California Davis and Director/Chief Curator of the UC Davis Design Museum. He believes that exhibition design is the most transdisciplinary of the design fields, bringing together different design disciplines to create engaging experiences for diverse audiences. In this week’s episode, Tim joins hosts Abby and Brenda in a multifaceted conversation about collaboration, creativity, and the impact of technology in exhibition design. This episode is sure to inspire listeners to rethink conventional approaches and embrace the transformative power of immersive storytelling.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

Tim McNeil | University of California Davis | blooloop 50 2023

The Exhibition and Experience Design Handbook

Design Museum — UC Davis

The Transformational Impact of Exhibition and Experience Design - SEGD

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

As museums evolve from traditional repositories of art and artifacts to dynamic spaces that reflect their visitors’ diverse voices and experiences, creating inclusive spaces for audiences is more critical than ever. This week’s guest is on a mission to foster inclusivity in cultural institutions. Join Abby and Brenda as they chat with Jamie Lawyer, the Chief Experience Officer at the Rubin Museum of Art, about creating places and spaces to make audiences feel cared for and fall in love with cultural experiences.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

Museum of Homelessness

Empathy Museum

ICOM approves a new museum definition

Mandala Lab, Milan | BAM | 2024 – Rubin Museum of Art

Muse Academy - America for Bulgaria Foundation

Muzeiko - America for Bulgaria Children's Museum

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.

What do textiles and technology have in common? Independently, each medium can be used as a form of artistic expression. Together, they can combine to tell stories that blur the boundaries between the digital and the physical. Nicole Yi Messier is a multidisciplinary artist and the co-founder of Craftwork, who loves to create experiences that push the envelope in terms of how we interact with them and how they respond to us. If you’re craft-curious or just looking to learn about the possibilities of blending materials and technologies, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Produced by Lorem Ipsum.

Show Notes:

Craftwork

Visit of the Bayeux Tapestry

Ancient Futures

ELLEN SAMPSON

NEW INC

DEMO2024

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions about the show please send an email to [email protected].

A transcript of this episode can be found at loremipsumxd.com/matters-of-experience.