The Art Engager

In today's episode , we explore the urgent need for rest in the cultural sector, specifically in museum education. My guest, educator and leader, Kate Oliver, a freelancer with extensive experience in museums and learning, recently co-founded the "Radical Rest Network" to address this critical issue.

In today's conversation, Kate shares insights into the Radical Rest Network's research, which revealed widespread exhaustion and burnout within the sector.

She discusses how the passion and commitment of museum educators, combined with unending demands, limited resources, and unrealistic expectations, contributes to our field's sense of fatigue.

Kate emphasises the importance of collective, systemic change, highlighting strategies for organisations and individuals to prioritise rest.

She also introduces the concept of "radical" rest, signalling the need for significant, collaborative changes to address the burnout crisis.

Listen to our conversation to discover practical tips for rest and how the Radical Rest Network is fostering a cultural shift towards a more balanced and sustainable approach to work and well-being in museum education.

Links

Article summarising the Radical Rest project & research: https://www.anewdirection.org.uk/blog/radical-rest-for-the-cultural-sector

Sign up for the Radical Rest Network: https://forms.gle/kaLvPzRRQmgbyQaS7

Connect with Kate Oliver on LinkedIn

Email Kate Oliver

Other great places to learn more:

The fabulous Nap Ministry's "Rest as Resistance": https://www.instagram.com/thenapministry/ 

GLAM Cares - wellbeing support for museum community engagement professionals:  

https://glamcaresnetwork.wordpress.com/

Four-day-week global trial results & how to advocate for: https://www.4dayweek.com/

How to unionise to improve working conditions: https://www.vice.com/en/article/v7gm4j/how-to-unionise-your-workplace

Low-cost counselling service for individuals who work in the Arts: https://www.wellbeinginthearts.org.uk/how-we-help-individuals/ 

Journal of Museum Education 2023 Special Virtual Issue: I QUIT!: ACKNOWLEDGING BURNOUT AND THE NEED FOR EMPATHY AND SELF-CARE IN MUSEUM EDUCATION

https://www.museumedu.org/vsi/i-quit-acknowledging-burnout-and-the-need-for-empathy-and-self-care-in-museum-education/

Today I’m talking to Rob Walker, author of The Art of Noticing and its spinoff newsletter. He’s a columnist for Fast Company, a longtime contributor to The New York Times and many other publications. His latest book, co-edited with Joshua Glenn, is “Lost Objects: 50 Stories About The Things We Miss and Why They Matter.” 

In today’s conversation Rob shares how he got into this work around noticing and paying attention to things. We discuss what’s wrong with our attention these days and debate whether noticing is a habit, a mindset or a skill.

We talk about some of the 131 different ideas for noticing in The Art of Noticing and discuss specific contexts where noticing can be particularly rewarding

We also talk about museums, about how we can get more out of museum visits by noticing the ‘wrong’ things, following our curiosity, and spending more time with less objects.

We wind up talking about his most recent project  and book “Lost Objects’ which explores the personal significance of objects, especially those that are lost, stolen, or discarded. We talk about the value of noticing and appreciating objects that often go unnoticed, highlighting how these objects serve as tools for connecting with people and the world around us.

I really enjoyed talking to Rob - hope you enjoy it too!

Links

Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook

Download the free guide - how to look at art (slowly)

Curated newsletter by Claire Bown

Rob Walker website

Rob's newsletter is at robwalker.substack.com. 

Rob's books: The Art of Noticing and his latest book, co-edited with Joshua Glenn, Lost Objects: 50 Stories About The Things We Miss and Why They Matter

Today, I'm responding to a question I get asked a lot: How do you approach groups that are more used to a traditional approach and say they don't want to participate?

How can we work with these expectations while delivering an engaging and educational museum experience?

In this episode, I'm exploring some of the reasons behind resistance to participation and offering some solutions.

From setting clear expectations and creating an inclusive atmosphere to gradual introductions, building trust, and using gentle questions, you'll find lots of ideas here.

Learn how adaptability is the key to fostering participation and why understanding, patience, and responsiveness are crucial in bridging the gap between traditional and interactive museum experiences.

Listen in to find out more! And if you have a question that you'd like me to answer, get in touch!

Links

Episode 44 The 4 Elements of a Great Introduction

Episode 42 How to Read a Group

Episode 69 How to Use Body Language to Create Engagement

Support the Show

Download the Ultimate Thinking Routine List

Join the Slow Looking Club Community on Facebook

Download the free guide - how to look at art (slowly)

Curated newsletter by Claire Bown

In today's episode, Claire Bown engages in conversation with the authors of a groundbreaking new book, "Activating the Art Museum: Designing Experiences for the Health Professions." Ruth Slavin, Corinne Zimmermann, and Ray Williams share their insights into the powerful intersection of art and healthcare. This book is the first-ever guide to creating art museum experiences tailored specifically for healthcare professionals' development and well-being.

In this conversation Ruth, Corinne, and Ray delve into their motivations for writing the book, even amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

We explore why art museums are a natural fit for supporting healthcare, how critical thinking about art can enhance medicine, and the practical methods and frameworks they provide, like Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS).

We'll also learn how art fosters empathy, improves teamwork, and addresses bias in healthcare.

Plus, discover the calming influence of art museums, the advantages of mindfulness in healthcare, and how these experiences benefit everyone involved, from healthcare workers to patients and the healthcare field as a whole.

Links

VTMO Intermediate

VTMO Advanced

Ruth Slavin LinkedIn

Ray Williams LinkedIn

Corinne Zimmerman LinkedIn

Short description of book

Activating the Art Museum: Designing Experiences for the Health Professions is the first book to address theory and practice connecting art museums and healthcare. Chapters address key topics including tolerating ambiguity; empathy; interprofessional teamwork; confronting bias; the power of story; caring for the spirit; wellbeing and mindfulness.

Link to publishers website

Activating the Art Museum: Designing Experiences for the Health Professions

Discount flyer link for those interested in purchasing

Additional links for learning opportunities

• Harvard Macy Institute’s Art Museum-based Health Professions Education Fellowship: https://harvardmacy.org/courses/museum
• Training our Eyes, Minds and Hearts: Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) for Healthcare Professionals: https://cmecatalog.hms.harvard.edu/course/training-our-eyes-minds-and-hearts-visual-thinking-strategies-health-care-professionals
• VTS@Work: https://www.haileygroup.com/vtsatworkprogram

Bios

Ruth Slavin has thirty years of leadership experience in art museums, most recently as deputy director for education at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) where she initiated partnerships with faculty in medicine, nursing and social work. Since 2009, she has designed gallery experiences, workshops, and elective courses with and for physicians, residents, and medical students on topics including empathy, complexity and ambiguity in medicine, personal narratives in medical education, and mindfulness. Since 2014, she has served as a core member of the faculty team for the POE in Medical Humanities at the U-M Medical School. 

Ray Williams has established robust partnerships with medical educators and clinicians as the director of education at both the Harvard Art Museums and, since 2012, the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin. He participated in the American Academy of Medical College’s committee on integrating the arts and humanities in medical education and has consulted to the Kern National Network for Caring and Character in Medicine. His work with health professionals in museum settings has focused on interprofessional teamwork, empathic communication, religion and spirituality, and wellbeing. He has a particular commitment to supporting clinicians dealing with grief and loss.

Corinne Zimmermann has been a museum educator for thirty years. Through Corinne Zimmermann Consultancy, she custom designs training and workshops for the health professions and business organizations focused on improving communication and team dynamics; cultivating leadership skills and empathic capacities; mitigating biases; and promoting well-being. She is a founding co-director of the Harvard Macy Institute’s Art Museum-based Health Professions Education Fellowship and co-founder of VTS@Work, which offers interprofessional training and certification in the Visual Thinking Strategies. In Fall 2023, she is co-teaching Training our Eyes, Minds, and Hearts: Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) for Healthcare Professionals, a CME course offered through Harvard Medical School.

This week we're exploring engagement for all with Sam Bowen, a passionate advocate for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) inclusion in museums.

Sam shares her extensive experience in the museum sector and explains how her role as a mother to a child with SEND has fuelled her advocacy work.

Highlights:

• Personal Journey: Sam discusses her background in museums and how her personal experience as a parent of a child with SEND shaped her into an inclusion advocate.
• Inclusive Spaces: the crucial need for museums to create inclusive spaces and programmes that cater to the diverse needs of all visitors, irrespective of their abilities.
• Practical Advice: how museums can become more SEND-friendly, including consulting with SEND families and organisations to better understand their unique requirements.
• Sensory-Friendly Initiatives: The importance of sensory-friendly spaces and resources within museums to enhance the comfort and engagement of SEND visitors.
• Proactive Approach: Why museums need to take a proactive stance on inclusion and collaborate closely with SEND families and organisations to remove any access and participation barriers.

About Sam Bowen:

Sam delivers training globally to the museum and cultural sector on all aspects of welcoming children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). She also speaks at conferences, write articles and mentor museums on organisational change in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

Sam has worked in the Museum sector for 25 years during which time she's been a Curator, Education Manager and Museum Development Officer. She brings this knowledge, combined with her lived experience as a SEND parent, to support museums as a freelance consultant.

She is the founder of the SEND in Museums campaign, author of the Special Schools and Museums toolkit and creator of www.sendinmuseums.org, a sector advocacy and guidance resource.

In 2021 Sam was named the Radical Change Maker in the (UK) Museum Association’s Museums Change Lives awards. Her commitment to museums is to help them become accessible to the 9% of the UK child population who are SEND and who deserve equity in cultural engagement.

Links

www.sendinmuseums.org: a sector advocacy and guidance resource.

Sam Bowen website: www.sambowen.co.uk

Sam Bowen on Twitter: @makedoand SEND & @SENDinMuseums

Museum education is evolving, and so are the ways we engage our audiences. The days of traditional lecture-style tours are numbered, as more and more museums offer more dynamic, participant-driven, discussion-based experiences. 

Whether you're just starting out with inquiry-based learning in the museum or looking to enhance your existing approach, this episode is for you. It’s packed with actionable tips and strategies to guide you. 

I'm going to share practical insights that will help you overcome common fears, embrace the unknown, and confidently step into the realm of discussion-based inquiry-based programs. Here are my top 3 tips to get you started.

Links

VTMO Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Courses

Download the Ultimate Thinking Routine List

Support the Show

Download the free guide - how to look at art (slowly)

Curated newsletter by Claire Bown

Today, I'm joined by Rachel Nicholson (Director, Visitor Engagement & Research at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art) and Christine Murray (Head of Content at Art Processors) to discuss an art experience that revolutionises the way visitors interact with Impressionist art.

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art has collaborated with Art Processors to bring to life "A Beautiful Disruption: Experiencing the Bloch Galleries," a sensorial digital journey that forges personal connections with Impressionist masterpieces and their creators.

This innovative encounter leverages existing gallery technology to lead visitors through a hands-free, 'eyes-up' experience, guided by dynamic lighting and immersive audio cues.

It blends technology, storytelling, and sensory elements, creating deeper engagement with Impressionist art and, at the same time, disrupting the conventional museum experience.

This immersive experience encourages visitors to actively explore and engage with the art, allowing them to choose their own path and connect with paintings that resonate with them personally. This innovative approach creates a communal and social experience, transforming the way visitors interact with and appreciate art within the gallery setting.

Links

Nelson-Atkins website page

Rachel Nicholson LinkedIn

Art Processors 

Christine Murray Linked In

Rediscovering joy and human connection with the Impressionists

Christine’s recent documentary “Feelings Are Facts”

Today I’m talking to Jackie Armstrong, Associate Educator Visitor Research and Experience at MoMA in New York, about trauma-informed practice in museums.

We’re exploring trauma-informed practice in museums, what it is, what it looks like and how museums can implement it into their culture and into their programming. 

We discuss MoMA's Artful Practices for Well-Being initiative, which offers trauma-informed programming and experiences.

Jackie also shares insights on MoMA's slow looking programme and provides advice on adopting trauma-informed practices in your work.

Content warning: please note that this episode contains brief references to sensitive topics. Please take care when listening.

Links

Support the Show

Curated newsletter by Claire Bown

Download my free slow looking resources: how to look at art (slowly) and my simple Slow Art Guide

Jackie Armstrong's website: https://www.jackie-armstrong.com/

Jackie Armstrong on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jackie_Armstron

Articles on museums and trauma-informed practice:

Museums Must Become More Trauma-Informed

3 Trauma-Informed Practices for Museums to Follow

How Explorations of Art, Trauma-Informed Principles, and Contemplative Practices Can Come Together to Support Well-Being and Nervous System Regulation

Mentioned in this episode:

Dr Peter Levine Somatic Experiencing

Dr. Karen Treisman’s book “A Treasure Box for Creating Trauma-informed Organizations: A Ready-to-Use Resource for Trauma, Adversity, and Culturally Informed, Infused and Responsive Systems" for trauma-informed principles and values

Artful Practices for Well-Being

Dr Glenn Patrick Doyle on Twitter

In today's episode I'll be exploring a topic that every museum educator can relate to: being prepared for the unexpected.

When was the last time you were facilitating a programme and something unexpected came up?

Maybe it was a spontaneous discussion sparked by an unexpected object or a group with unique accessibility needs. These moments remind us of the value of being ready for anything.

As museum educators, we operate in a dynamic and ever-changing environment, interacting with diverse audiences and different groups, each with their own perspectives and interests. Unexpected situations can arise at any moment, making our roles both rewarding and challenging.

In this episode, I'll take you through a variety of strategies that will help you equip yourself with the right tools and mindset to handle unforeseen situations effectively.

We'll delve into everything from making quick adjustments to adopting a proactive approach.

Tune in to discover practical ways to be prepared for whatever comes your way. Let's embrace the unexpected together!

Links

Episode 44 - The 4 Elements of a Great Introduction

Pick up a copy of my book, The Art Engager, for step-by-step guidance on creating meaningful, interactive guided experiences https://www.theartengager.com/

Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

Curated newsletter: https://thinkingmuseum.com/newsletter/

Adventures in (Slow) Looking on Substack: https://adventuresinslowlooking.substack.com/

Free resources: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

Today I'm exploring Heart for Art with Gundy van Dijk, Head of Education and Interpretation at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Discover how this impactful outreach programme use Vincent van Gogh's life and art to engage children, foster their personal development, and ignite their passion for art.

With over 20 years of experience in museum, art, and cultural education, Gundy is well-known for her expertise in connecting people and organisations. Gundy is dedicated to inspiring individuals, bridging the gap between audiences and stories, and promoting interaction and participation in the field of art education.

Heart for Art, a programme developed by the Van Gogh Museum and DHL, aims to inspire thousands of children, with limited access to art education. Using Vincent van Gogh's work and life story, the program stimulates creative development and encourages discussions on important themes. Participating schools receive tailor-made teaching materials and a Van Gogh Museum Edition: a high-quality 3D reproduction of one of Van Gogh's artworks.

I first met Gundy back in 2011 at the Tropenmuseum and we’ve been great friends and collaborators ever since. We had a great chat and I hope you enjoy it too!

Links

Pick up a copy of my book, The Art Engager, for step-by-step guidance on creating meaningful, interactive guided experiences https://www.theartengager.com/

Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengager

Curated newsletter: https://thinkingmuseum.com/newsletter/

Adventures in (Slow) Looking on Substack: https://adventuresinslowlooking.substack.com/

Free Resources - how to look at art (slowly)

Episode Links

Heart for Art https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/about/news-and-press/press-releases/van-gogh-museum-and-dhl-launch-heart-for-art-educational-programme

Van Gogh Museum https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en

Etel Adnan http://www.eteladnan.com/

Heart for Art video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzFoSNChEWE

Van Gogh at School https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/visit/school-groups/van-gogh-at-school

The Harvest Meditation: https://www.lessonup.com/app/search/teach/2Krq7YeurGxwev4fs/mjya2ioLJBjRKqzhR/#mjya2ioLJBjRKqzhR-index=0

Gundy van Dijk on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gundyvandijk/