In today's solo episode, host Claire Bown shares practical strategies for overcoming the most common fears about inquiry-based teaching in museums.

From handling uncertainty and awkward silences to managing participation and time, she guides you through simple, actionable ways to build confidence and make inquiry feel rewarding- for you and your participants.

Inquiry-based teaching works. It creates the kind of museum experiences where participants lean in, ask questions, and make personal connections with art and objects. But despite all these benefits, why do many people feel hesitant about giving it a go?

We’ll explore common concerns - like losing control, time management, participation, or not having all the answers - and I’ll walk you through strategies to move past them.

Here’s what I cover in today’s episode:

• Why understanding your own relationship with inquiry is the first step
• How to develop comfort with uncertainty and not knowing
• Why it helps to start small and build confidence gradually
• The role of flexible structures (like Questioning Practices) in supporting inquiry
• Practical ways to manage time, participation, and group dynamics
• Building your facilitation toolkit step by step
• Why practice and reflection are essential for growing your skills
• How to reframe “failure” as a valuable learning opportunity

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums (my book)
• Episode 143: Uncertainty: Finding Wonder in Not Knowing with Maggie Jackson
• Episode 137: How to Use the Universal
• Episode 142: Building Trust and Psychological Safety on Guided Experiences in Museums
• Episodes 95 & 96: The Power of Silence in Guided Experiences
• Episode 66: 7 Ways to Improve Your Active Listening Skills
• Every single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/

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✨ If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Art Engager on Patreon. Or pick up a copy of my book, The Art Engager, for step-by-step guidance on creating meaningful, interactive guided experiences.

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.

Show notes

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

In today's solo episode, host Claire Bown explores what wonder is, why museums are perfect spaces for fostering it, and shares eight practical ways to create wonder-filled moments in your guided experiences.

How can we reawaken that natural sense of wonder that we had as children? What happens when we intentionally create space for amazement and discovery in our museum experiences?

In this episode, we're exploring wonder as a fundamental human capacity. Claire distinguishes wonder from awe and curiosity, introduces different types of wonder we might find in the museum from intellectual and sensory to historical and reflective—and examines why adults often lose their capacity for wonder.

Claire shares eight practical strategies for inviting wonder into guided experiences and reminds us that wonder is about slowing down, opening up, and helping participants surprise themselves as they see things anew.

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

Every single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/

Episode 150 -  How to Create Meaningful Museum Engagement: 10 Best Practices from 150 Episodes

Episode 151 - The Complete Guide to Slow Looking

Episode 32 - 6 Ways to Create Awe-Inspiring Experiences with Art and Objects

Episode 38  3 Key Ways to Foster Curiosity in your Programmes

Episode 39 -  How to stay curious in your practice

Episodes 95 - How silence is a superpower in museum and gallery programmes

Episode 96 - 7 Ways to Make Time and Space for Silence

Over the past four years, we've explored slow looking in 20 different episodes on The Art Engager, making it our most discussed topic. Today, I'm taking you on a curated journey through all of these episodes, creating a roadmap, if you will, that you can use to understand and implement slow looking in your personal practice and professional work.

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.

SHOWNOTES

Every single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

**Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

**Make a one-off donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown

All of the mentioned episodes:

After 150 episodes exploring engagement in museums and cultural organisations – including 101 solo episodes and 49 guest conversations – host Claire Bown shares 10 of the most powerful insights that have emerged over four years of thinking deeply about engagement principles and practices.

For this milestone episode, Claire revisited the entire back catalogue, re-listening to past episodes and looking for patterns. What she found were 10 essential insights about engagement that can shift how we think, plan, and work in museums today.

What comes through again and again is the power of simple, intentional adjustments. These are practical strategies you can try out straight away.

Four years and 150 episodes of exploring what really works in museum engagement – distilled into 10 essential principles for anyone working in museum and heritage education.

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.

SHOWNOTES

Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

Every single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

Make a one-off donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebown

All of the mentioned episodes:

149 Art, Play and Joy at Compton Verney with Geraldine Collinge

144 6 ways to create powerful connections in museum experiences

137 How to use The Universal Questioning Practice

136 What are Questioning Practices?

131 Stimulating the senses: using smell to engage visitors with Sofia Collette Ehrich

130 The power of inquiry, curiosity and questioning with Trevor MacKenzie

125 How to build rapport in museum and gallery programmes

99 Striking the right pace in museum programmes: less is more

96 7 Ways to Make Time and Space for Silence

95 How silence is a superpower in museum and gallery programmes

90 How to Create Intellectual Comfort

87 How to ask more open-ended questions

81 7 Ways to Refresh your Practice in 2023

72 Reacting to art with our bodies with Rachel Ropeik

61 How mindfulness and drawing can help us to connect with art with Karly Allen

57 Bitesize: How to End Well – Creating a Strong Conclusion for your Programmes

52 From Good to Great: Personal Growth & Development for Museum Educators

49 Inspiring Creative Writing Through Art with Mary Hall Surface

44 The 4 elements of a great introduction

29 How to develop a reflective practice

12 6 Best Practices for Sharing Information

In this episode host Claire Bown talks with Geraldine Collinge, Chief Executive at Compton Verney, about their bold approach to creating genuinely engaging cultural spaces through play, accessibility and joy.

Geraldine shares how this unique 'art space in a park' in Warwickshire brings together a historic Robert Adam mansion, 120 acres of Capability Brown landscape, and six distinctive collections ranging from Chinese bronzes to British folk art. She explains how Compton Verney's core values - particularly their inclusion of 'fun' - guide everything from exhibition design to community engagement initiatives.

Listen to discover their multisensory approach to gallery spaces that incorporates touch, smell and sound, doubling visitor numbers to their Naples collection. Learn about their 'play first' philosophy that encourages visitors of all ages to engage meaningfully with art through creative exploration, and hear about their 97% discounted community passes that are breaking down barriers to access.

Geraldine also shares insights into how they're connecting art and nature through immersive experiences like 'Breathing with the Forest,' creating what she describes as a restorative experience that ultimately delivers on their promise: giving visitors 'a day full of joy.'

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon and find more resources at thinkingmuseum.com

SHOWNOTES

 https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/

Breathing with the Forest (now closed) - https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/whats-on/breathing-with-the-forest/

What we do - https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/our-story/what-we-do/

Geraldine Collinge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldinecollinge/

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

In this 4th birthday episode of The Art Engager, host Claire Bown explores what active engagement really means and why it matters so much for creating meaningful guided experiences. She addresses what many educators struggle with – we know visitors learn better when actively participating, but how do we consistently make this happen in our daily practice?

How can we move beyond knowing that active participation matters to actually implementing it day after day? What practical techniques make the difference between visitors following along and truly engaging?

In this episode, Claire explores:

• Why traditional approaches often lead to disengagement (despite focusing on collection highlights)
• The spectrum from passive to active
• The fundamental mindset change required to create active experiences
• How to make your introductions more active
• How to transform questioning from testing knowledge to sparking genuine connection, and meaning-making
• Ways to use movement and positioning as powerful tools for engagement rather than defaulting to "follow the leader"
• Simple strategies to move beyond the 'hub and spoke' model and foster direct participant-to-participant interaction
• How to share information in a responsive and adaptable way that offers multiple pathways into the core ideas.
• How to create active closings to help visitors reflect, connect, and carry something forward.

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

In this episode of The Art Engager podcast, host Claire Bown talks with Sita Sargeant, founder and self-described 'Chief Troublemaker' at She Shapes History, a trailblazing Australian company on a mission. 

What began as weekly walks in Canberra has grown into a thriving social enterprise with nationwide expansion plans for their women-focused history tours.

In today's conversation, Sita shares her people-centred approach to guide hiring and training, and how she builds community around a cause rather than just history. She offers valuable insights on designing experiences for specific audiences, creating consistent brand voice across all touchpoints, and using creative approaches such as post-tour feedback surveys to continuously improve quality and support guides.

Useful for anyone leading museum tours, developing visitor experiences, or passionate about making history more engaging and accessible. Sita's practical wisdom and enthusiasm will change how you think about connecting audiences with stories that matter. Enjoy!

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.

SHOWNOTES

SUPPORT THE SHOW with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

She Shapes History website: https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/

She Shapes History Book: https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/she-shapes-history-guided-walks-and-stories-about-great-australian-women/

Instagram She Shapes History: https://www.instagram.com/sheshapeshistory/

Sita Sargeant LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sita-sargeant/

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

In this episode, host Claire Bown talks with Tonia Dhaese and Armand Storck about the church-based Slow Art Day movement in Antwerp. We explore why churches provide ideal settings for slow looking and how the architecture, lighting, and atmosphere naturally encourage contemplation.

For Slow Art Day 2025 (April 5), listeners will learn about events across four Antwerp churches, including St. Paul's exhibition featuring masterpieces by Rubens and Van Dyck displayed at eye level - a rare opportunity to get up close with artworks normally hung four metres high.

Tonia and Armand share practical advice for churches interested in joining the movement, emphasising the importance of training guides to facilitate rather than lecture, maintaining flexibility in approaches, and creating inclusive experiences where no prior knowledge is required.

Whether you're interested in slow looking techniques or considering how your own church might participate in Slow Art Day, this conversation offers lots of new insights into creating meaningful art experiences in sacred spaces.

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon and find more resources at thinkingmuseum.com

SHOWNOTES

SUPPORT THE SHOW with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

MKA website: https://mkantwerpen.be/

St Paul's Church (Sint Paulus Kerk) Antwerp: https://www.sintpaulusantwerpen.be/en/

Tonia Dhaese, Coordinator of Monumental Churches Antwerp (MKA), [email protected]

Antwerp’s Church-Based Slow Art Day Movement - https://www.slowartday.com/antwerps-church-based-slow-art-day-movement/

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

In this episode host Claire Bown talks with Francine Boon, a self-described 'sociologist turned mystery maker' and co-director of Sherlocked, an award-winning experience design studio based in Amsterdam, about transforming how visitors engage with museums through immersive storytelling and game design.

Francine shares two major museum projects in this episode: her Rijksmuseum escape room that attracted 10,000 participants in nine weeks and received a 9.4/10 rating, and her recent Palace Mysteries project at the Amsterdam Royal Palace. Both demonstrate Francine's ability to reach difficult age demographics (12-18 and 10-12 year olds) through carefully designed puzzles and storytelling that connect visitors with museum collections.

Listen to discover practical solutions for designing games in museum spaces, from protecting valuable objects to managing visitor flow. Learn how giving players specific roles encourages appropriate behaviour, explore techniques for building compelling narratives around objects, and find out how to ensure visitors engage meaningfully with collections rather than just playing games.

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon and find more resources at thinkingmuseum.com

SHOWNOTES

Torrentius painting mentioned in this episode: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/Emblematic-Still-Life-with-Flagon-Glass-Jug-and-Bridle--9d74acc82f2cd8aa34b03be8414de0cf

MuseumNext article: https://www.museumnext.com/article/unlocking-curiosity-transforming-the-rijksmuseum-with-an-escape-room-experience/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/francineboon

website: www.sherlocked.nl 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherlocked/

Form to collaborate: www.sherlocked.nl/museums  

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

In today's solo episode, host Claire Bown explores why museums are as much about people as they are about objects, and shares six powerful ways to create meaningful connections in your guided experiences.

How can museums provide spaces for genuine human interaction in our increasingly disconnected world? What might happen when we put 'connection before content' in our museum practice?

In this episode, we're exploring the unique role museums play in bringing people together. Claire introduces the principle of 'connection before content' and explores the 5 layers of connection that create the conditions for engagement to flourish.

Claire shares six essential strategies for creating powerful connections in guided experiences and reminds us that while visitors may forget the facts and figures, they'll remember how they felt and the connections they made.

The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.

When You Connect, You Protect: The Impact of Social Connection on Mental Health, Ep. 172

An interview with Jessica Gifford, LICSW, explaining the link between social connectedness and mental health.

https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1437668161&i=1000604514535

‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

The Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/

Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager