The Art Engager

The future of museums with Elizabeth Merritt

After five years and 166 episodes with listeners in 91 countries, this is the final episode of The Art Engager - for now, at least. For this last conversation, I wanted a guest who felt right not just for the occasion, but for the moment the whole sector is living through. Someone who has spent nearly two decades asking the questions most of us might find too uncomfortable or too speculative to sit with: what does the future hold for museums, and what do we need to do now to be ready for it? My guest is Elizabeth Merritt, Vice President for Strategic Foresight at the American Alliance of Museums and founding director of the Center for the Future of Museums. In this conversation we look back at how the operating environment for museums has changed since the Center began in 2008. We explore the assumptions being tested right now around leadership, philanthropy, and the stability of the nonprofit sector. And we look ahead to what museums need to build - and why, ultimately, museums matter. Listen to find out what's in store for the future of museums; why after five years this feels like the right time to pause; and a proper thank you to everyone who has made this podcast what it is. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Mentioned in this episode Episode 158: The Art Engager x NEMO: Who Cares? Museums, Wellbeing and Resilience: https://podcast.artengager.com/episode/who-cares-museums-wellbeing-and-resilience/ Episode 143: Uncertainty: Finding wonder in not knowing with Maggie Jackson: https://podcast.artengager.com/episode/uncertainty-finding-wonder-in-not-knowing/ Designing and Facilitating Slow Looking - starts June 10 2026: https://thinkingmuseum.com/designing-and-facilitating-slow-looking/ Every Single Episode of The Art Engager podcast: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/ Links for Elizabeth Merritt, CFM and AAM CFM aam-us.org/topic/center-for-the-future-of-museums/ Back catalog of TrendsWatch reports aam-us.org/trendswatch Dispatches from the Future of Museums (a weekly roundup of recent news stories illuminating trends and events shaping society, technology, economics, the environment, and policy) aam-us.org/dispatches 2026 AAM Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo. Philadelphia, PA May 20-23 https://annualmeeting.aam-us.org/ Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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How can museums build meaningful social connection?

In March 2026, I travelled to Atlanta for the National Convening on Art and Social Connection, a two-day event hosted by the High Museum of Art. It brought together people from the arts, public health, research, aging, social services and policy to explore one big question: how can engagement with visual art help combat loneliness and build more connected communities? In this special episode, I take you inside the convening and share what I heard, what I learned, and what I think it means for those of us working in museums and cultural spaces. I carried three questions with me to Atlanta. What does it actually take to do this work well? How do we build the evidence that it works? And how do we make sure the wider world hears about it? Listen to the episode for where those questions led me. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. 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/ Mentioned in this episode The High Museum of Art: https://high.org The Museums That Helped Power Atlanta’s Rise Are Still Pushing Ahead: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/14/arts/atlanta-museums.html?unlocked_article_code=1.bVA.UEVq.IQUdMdoYDuWI&smid=url-share Oasis at the High Museum of Art: https://high.org/event-category/for-adults/oasis/ Art Story: How the High is Engaging Mindfulness with Art at Oasis: https://medium.com/high-museum-of-art/art-story-how-the-high-is-engaging-mindfulness-with-art-at-oasis-8b3592f5f876 Art After Loss at the High Museum of Art: https://high.org/art-after-loss/ Art After Loss: Creating Space for Grief, Connection, and Reflection: https://medium.com/high-museum-of-art/art-after-loss-creating-space-for-grief-connection-and-reflection-7ab2a1113643 TimeSlips: https://www.timeslips.org Meet Me at MoMA: https://www.moma.org/visit/accessibility/meetme/ LSU Museum of Art: https://www.lsumoa.org Two prompts to sit with For me, social connection looks like… One thing I can do next is…

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Reimagining Guided Experiences at Historic Sites

What does it take to guide visitors through histories that are genuinely contested and emotionally charged? In this episode, I'm joined by Brandon Dillard, Director of Historic Interpretation and Audience Engagement at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and Kelsie Paul, Director of Learning and Visitor Experience at the Frick Pittsburgh, to explore how both institutions have reimagined their guided experiences in response to the complicated legacies of their central historical figures. We talk about the long evolution of interpretation at Monticello, from the site's earliest tours to the integration of slavery and the story of Sally Hemings into the core narrative. Kelsie shares the process behind the Frick's "Gilded, Not Golden" tour - a ground-up redesign of Clayton's 30-year-old house tour that involved consultants, an advisory board, difficult internal conversations and a willingness to start from scratch. We also dig into what it means to support guides doing this work: hiring for empathy, investing in training, facilitating ongoing dialogue, and empowering guides to be facilitators rather than lecturers. And we reflect on the civic role of historic sites in a polarised moment, including how Monticello is approaching the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Whether you're working at a historic house, leading tours in any kind of museum or cultural space, or thinking about how to hold space for complexity in your guided programmes, I think you'll find a great deal to take away from this conversation. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support on Patreon Episode Links: LinkedIn Kelsie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsie-paul-39561b199/ Frick website: www.thefrickpittsburgh.org Frick Instagram: @frickpittsburgh Recent article on Clayton: https://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/places-we-love-clayton/ LinkedIn Brandon: www.linkedin.com/in/brandonmdillard Monticello website: https://www.monticello.org/ Monticello Instagram: @tjmonticello Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Creative engagement with digital heritage with Dr. Beth Daley

In this episode Claire Bown is joined by Dr Beth Daley, novelist, creative writing tutor and editorial advisor at Europeana, to explore how digital cultural heritage collections can become starting points for storytelling, exploration and creative engagement. Europeana brings together millions of artworks, objects, photographs, films, texts and archival materials from museums, libraries and archives across Europe. But access alone is not enough. Beth shares how the platform invites people to move from browsing to creating through prompts, activities, and collaborative spaces. This episode will resonate with anyone working in museums, galleries or cultural institutions who is interested in using digital collections as a starting point for storytelling, creative engagement and new ways of working with cultural heritage. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Episode Links: Dr Beth Daley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-daley-a032b537/ https://www.europeana.eu/ https://pro.europeana.eu/post/join-our-events-for-writers-and-get-creative-with-cultural-heritage - this one covers all our activities including the following: https://pro.europeana.eu/event/europeana-writers-room-monthly-creative-writing-workshops - Europeana Writers' Room registration https://www.europeana.eu/en/stories/six-ways-to-play-with-europeana-story-dice - Europeana story dice https://pro.europeana.eu/page/seven-tips-for-digital-storytelling - in 16 languages https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-daley-a032b537/ - my LinkedIn profile https://bethdaley.substack.com/ - my Substack page Europeana's social media: https://www.facebook.com/Europeana https://bsky.app/profile/europeana.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/company/europeana https://www.instagram.com/europeana_eu/ Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Co-Designing a Pedagogical Approach at the National Gallery of Australia

In this episode Claire Bown is joined by Georgia Close and Harriet Body from the National Gallery of Australia, alongside Naomi Zouwer from the University of Canberra, to explore how the gallery co-designed its Creative Learning approach. The conversation traces an 18-month process of articulating a shared pedagogical framework shaped by national context, cultural responsibility, and First Nations-led principles. Rather than adopting an existing model, the team worked through workshops, observation, interviews and iterative “campaigns” to develop a cohesive, values-led approach. A key commitment was centring the artist’s voice, placing artist intention in conversation with students’ existing knowledge. From this, the team developed a Creative Learning strategy planning tool that supports inquiry-led, multimodal, embodied and reflective practice. Across the episode, they explore: How to develop a context-specific learning approach rather than importing a model What it means in practice to centre the artist’s voice How small, iterative “campaigns” can embed reflective practice in a team How multimodality and embodiment deepen engagement beyond discussion Why joy is understood as a serious pedagogical commitment What co-design and participatory action research look like inside a museum setting This episode will resonate with anyone working in museums, galleries or cultural institutions who is thinking carefully about pedagogy, reflective practice, and how to articulate an approach that genuinely reflects their context and values. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support on Patreon Episode Links: https://nga.gov.au/learn/our-creative-learning-approach/ The Creative Learning Project Digital Publication: https://nga.gov.au/media/dd/documents/NGA_The_Creative_Learning_Project_Digital_Publication.pdf Zouwer, N. & Hamilton, O. (2026). The Creative Learning Project: Defining the National Gallery of Australia’s Creative Learning Approach. 10.13140/RG.2.2.35063.28324 Zouwer, N., Hamilton, O., Menser Hearn, N., & Ali, I. (2026). Using Practice-Based Methods to Co-create, Define, and Articulate a New Approach to Art Education in the National Gallery of Australia. Australian Journal of Education, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00049441261421257 Georgia Close, Head of Learning, National Gallery of Australia Harriet Body, Creative Learning Convenor, National Gallery of Australia Harriet Body on LinkedIn Naomi Zouwer, artist, teacher, and researcher. Lecturer of Creative Arts Teacher Education and a researcher in the Centre of Advanced Education Studies (CASE) in the Faculty of Education at the University of Canberra. Naomi Zouwer on LinkedIn Naomi’s website https://www.zouwer.com/ The Centre for Advanced Studies in Education (CASE) https://www.canberra.edu.au/research/centres/case Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Early encounters with art and museum habits of mind

In this episode Claire Bown is joined by Clare Murray to explore how early encounters with art and museums shape the way people learn to participate, belong, and engage over time. Our conversation focuses on how what Clare describes as museum habits of mind begin forming early in life, shaped by access, culture, and experience, and what can be at risk when early encounters with art and museums are uneven, delayed, or absent. Clare’s perspective is shaped by her work as co-founder and executive director of cARTie, Connecticut’s first nonprofit art museum bus for young children, alongside her doctoral research into how people come to understand what museums are and who they are for. She describes research and practice as running in parallel, rather than as separate phases. The conversation looks at why early childhood matters as a time when confidence, hesitation, and ways of taking part in museum-like spaces begin to take shape. Clare shares what she notices when children encounter art and museum environments for the first time, and what they appear to be learning beyond information about the artworks themselves. Across the episode, they reflect on: how early encounters with art begin to shape museum habits of mind how confidence and hesitation show up and evolve through repeated encounters what children seem to pick up about how to take part in museum-like spaces what can be missed when access to art and museum experiences is uneven or delayed how research and practice can run in parallel, with each informing the other This episode will be of interest to anyone working with children, art, or learning spaces, and to museum educators, guides, and facilitators interested in how early experiences shape longer-term relationships with museums. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support on Patreon Episode Links: Clare Murray on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/murrayclare Museum Design with, by and for Children: Innovative, International Approaches https://www.routledge.com/Museum-Design-with-by-and-for-Children-Innovative-International-Approaches/Murray/p/book/9781032774404 cARTie https://www.cartie.org/ cARTie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ctcartie/ Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Designing person-centred museum experiences for people living with dementia

In this episode, Claire Bown is joined by Laurie Kilgour Walsh, Head of Programs and Learning at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, to explore what it takes to create meaningful, person-centred museum experiences with and for people living with dementia. Our conversation centres on Artful Moments, a gallery-based, small-group programme for people living with dementia and their care partners. Based at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, the programme supports shared experiences, connection, and wellbeing through guided engagement with artworks. In this episode, we talk about: What Artful Moments is and how the programme was developed in collaboration with healthcare partners How assumptions shifted as the work developed, and what has helped sustain the work over time. What person-centred practice looks like in programme design and in the moment as a facilitator Planning with care while staying responsive to participants during each session Why success in this work is understood through connection and wellbeing rather than traditional learning outcomes What an Artful Moments session looks like in practice, from first communication and arrival to gallery conversations, making activities, and leaving the museum Why attention to the whole visit experience really matters A great listen if you are developing or evolving programmes for people living with dementia, or are interested in how dementia-inclusive practice can inform everyday museum engagement and deepen your approach to inclusion, pacing, and person-centred facilitation. Laurie is also the co-author of Artful Moments: Building Meaningful Museum Experiences for People Living with Dementia, which is discussed throughout the episode. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support on Patreon Episode Links Art Gallery of Hamilton website: www.artgalleryofhamilton.com Artful Moments eLearning site: www.artfulmoments.ca A link to the book - Artful Moments: Building Meaningful Museum Experiences for People Living with Dementia : https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/artful-moments-9781538195420/ Laurie's two favourite videos from the website: Janis’s Story https://vimeo.com/801998446/77939bc3d0 Rosemary's story: https://vimeo.com/809930852/fb94d13a5d Also: An article about virtual programs (2022) https://www.artgalleryofhamilton.com/artful-moments-fostering/ A lovely review of the website by Dementia Trust (2024): https://dementiatrust.org/news-and-views/25/2/2025/review-artful-moments Artful Moments also included in Chapter 4 of this book (2024): https://www.intellectbooks.com/art-education-in-canadian-museums An article on our early work: Artful Moments: A framework for successful engagement in an arts-based programme for persons in the middle to late stages of dementia (2019) by Janis Humphrey, Maureen Montemuro, Esther Coker, Laurie Kilgour-Walsh, Katherine Moros, Carmen Murray, Shannon Stanners DOI: 10.1177/1471301217744025 Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Reclaiming Our Attention with Menka Sanghvi

In this episode, host Claire Bown is joined by Menka Sanghvi, researcher, writer, guide and founder of Just Looking. Menka’s work explores attention through science, culture and creativity, and encourages us to slow down and notice more in our everyday lives. Together, we talk about why ordinary moments matter, how our attentional filters shape what we see and the social dimension of noticing. We also explore the pull of digital technology, the difference between algorithmic seeing and intentional looking, and how small shifts can help us reclaim our attention. Whether you work with visitors in museums, guide groups through artworks or simply want to nurture a more spacious way of looking, this conversation offers practical ideas you can apply directly to your facilitation practice (and to your life!). The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support on Patreon Episode Links Menka is the founder of Just Looking, a global community of people looking at everyday life with slowness and curiosity. She is also the co-author of Your Best Digital Life. Her work invites people to notice more, reflect more and reconnect with both the digital and physical worlds. Just Looking newsletter Just Looking’s Instagram 60 Experiments in Looking Your Best Digital Life Menka Sanghvi’s website Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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The Art Engager x NEMO: Who Cares? Museums, Wellbeing and Resilience

In this special episode created in collaboration with NEMO – the Network of European Museum Organisations, I’m sharing voices and ideas from the 2025 NEMO European Museum Conference ‘Who Cares? Museums, Wellbeing and Resilience’ in Horsens, Denmark. Recorded during the conference itself in the unique setting of the FÆNGSLET Prison Museum, this episode features eight speakers from across Europe and beyond. Together, we explore how museums are engaging with wellbeing and care – for their communities, their staff, and the wider world. You’ll hear from museum professionals, researchers and cultural leaders reflecting on what care looks like in practice – from building organisational resilience to creating spaces for recovery, reflection and connection. The episode weaves together their experiences to to show how museums are finding new ways to care for people and communities. In this episode How museums are rethinking their roles in wellbeing and resilience Practical examples of care-centred work in action The emotional and organisational challenges of supporting wellbeing The importance of caring for the people who care for others Featuring Julia Pagel (Germany) • Vera Carasso (Netherlands) • Elizabeth Merritt (USA) • Inga Surgunte (Latvia) • Sinéad Rice (Ireland) • Yurii Horpynych (Ukraine) • Roberto Casarotto (Italy) • Dr Nuala Morse (UK) The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support on Patreon Links NEMO – Network of European Museum Organisations NEMO 2025 Statement on Museums and Wellbeing Conference webpage with recordings Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Slow looking, leadership and the neuroscience of perspective-taking

In this episode of The Art Engager, I’m talking with Dr Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson, Executive Director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative and a visual neuroscientist whose work explores the intersection of art, perception and leadership. Zab’s research asks one key question: how does what we see guide our decisions, actions and behaviours? Her work combines neuroscience, visual perception and museum-based learning to show how what we see shapes how we think, communicate and lead. At Wharton, Zab leads sessions for business executives that bring slow looking and perspective taking together — helping leaders strengthen empathy and communication through shared experiences of looking at art. We talk about her journey from researching colour and form processing in the brain to designing slow art experiences that build leadership skills. You’ll hear why museums are ideal for practising perspective taking, what happens when groups spend an hour with a single artwork, and how slow looking in dialogue with others fosters deep learning and connection. We also discuss the neuroscience behind these practices, the ‘no pointing’ rule, and why words like ‘obviously’ can shut down conversation. This episode offers plenty to think about for anyone interested in how collective looking can enhance empathy, attention and leadership. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Episode Links https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/perspective-taking-brain-hack-can-help-make-better-decisions/ Visual Marketing: A Practical Guide to the Science of Branding https://www.routledge.com/Visual-Marketing-A-Practical-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Branding--Retailing/Kahn-Johnson/p/book/9781032731322 Dr Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-johnson-phd-a3160932/ Wharton Neuroscience website:https://neuro.wharton.upenn.edu/ Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Ask Me Anything: Your Questions on Museum Engagement and Facilitation

In today's solo episode, host Claire Bown celebrates the one-year anniversary of The Art Engager book with our first-ever Ask Me Anything format. She answers 10 practical questions from listeners about facilitating guided experiences in museums. From how long to let people look at artworks to building psychological safety with established groups, Claire tackles the real challenges educators and guides face every day. Does everyone have to talk to be actively engaged? How do you pull a group back when disengaged? What's a good way to redirect someone who's going on too long? When should you share the artist's perspective if the group's discussion is quite different? Resources mentioned in this episode: The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums (Claire's book) Episode 148: How to create active engagement on guided experiences Episode 142: Building Trust and Psychological Safety on guided experiences The 10 Questioning Practices (QPs) from The Art Engager The Thinking Museum® Approach The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Exploring Poetry Through Museums and Visual Art with Tina Demirdjian

In this episode of The Art Engager Claire Bown talks with Tina Demirdjian, a poet and educator who has spent over 30 years transforming how people connect with poetry and visual art. Tina is someone who in her own words 'changes people's minds' about poetry, about themselves and about their capacity for creative expression. Working primarily with second language learners and immigrant communities in Los Angeles she has developed unique approaches that use visual art as a gateway into poetry writing. The conversation explores why museums are 'sacred spaces' that support creativity, practical techniques for facilitating poetry writing in galleries and how to help people overcome their intimidation about writing. Listen to this episode if you want to: Learn practical techniques for poetry programming in museums, including spine poetry and found poetry using curator and wall texts Discover why the museum environment uniquely supports creative confidence and expression Explore how visual art can serve as a bridge to poetry for diverse audiences Understand how to help visitors overcome intimidation about poetry and writing This episode offers practical insights into poetry programming and how to create the 'ease' that helps everyone discover they have at least one powerful poem in them. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Episode Links: Art inspires youth poetry at MOCA ARTful Conversations https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-demirdjian-a102488/ https://www.instagram.com/poetinastudio/ Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/ https://www.poetryconsults.com/museums-libraries

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Belonging, Community and Co-curation at Manchester Museum with Ciaron Wilkinson

In this episode of The Art Engager, Claire Bown talks with Ciaron Wilkinson, Head of Partnerships and Engagement at Manchester Museum — one of the UK’s largest university museums and recent winner of European Museum of the Year. After a values-led redevelopment, Manchester Museum has reimagined how a museum can engage with its community. Its mission is to be the most caring, imaginative, and inclusive museum people will ever visit - a place where everyone belongs. Ciaron shares how this vision has reshaped the museum’s spaces and ways of working: co-curating the South Asia Gallery with 30 community members over five years, celebrating faith and culture through the Manchester Museum Celebrates series, and opening the Top Floor hub, shared with 25 local organisations dedicated to social justice and climate action. This conversation offers practical insights into co-curation, community engagement, and the values-led decisions behind creating cultural spaces where everyone feels welcome. The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Episode Links: Manchester Museum website Manchester Museum Instagram Article on European Museum of the Year Article on decolonisation New York Times article following reopening Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

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Taking the fear out of inquiry-based teaching in the museum

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/ The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/

8 ways to foster more wonder in museum experiences

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

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The Complete Guide to Slow Looking

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

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How to Create Meaningful Museum Engagement: 10 Best Practices from 150 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. 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 Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/ Every single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/

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Art, Play and Joy at Compton Verney with Geraldine Collinge

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. Episode Links 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/ Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/ Every single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/

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How to create active engagement on guided experiences

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

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She Shapes History: Building Community Through Women's History Tours with Sita Sargeant

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. Episode Links 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/ Show 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: https://thinkingmuseum.com/the-thinking-museum-approach/resources/ Every single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/

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