Bringing Museum Education into the Yager Museum 2009

The Museum Education class presented their education ideas for the policitical cartoon exhibit, opening in 2009.

Jessica Henson- focused on hobo culture and partnerships with existing organizations on Campus:

• Box city and hobo signs
• Oneonta Story Corps podcasts with alumni
• Recycled material event (similiar to "Peeps Show") such as outfits

Peggy Larcom- examined different contemporary issues under themes in the exhibit. Help bring change to the exhibit and programming. Connect student activism to the themes.

• Election- different listings of political platforms next to cartoons (and include info on registering to vote for college students)
• Poverty- work with Habitat Humanity and Office for Civic Engagement to feature events and info
• War- focus on 2 ways of looking at issue- patriotism and impact
• Economy- connecting Depression era to lecture series about debt today for college students (debt and loan management and budgeting)
• Environment- tracing technology development and how it has impacted us today (implement a program with Hawk Circle on the environment)

Connect with other groups about events happening on Campus (such as debates in the Museum).

Anna Thompson-focus on radio because it was a big part of life in the 20s and 30s. Make the experience immersive so people can see it, rather than read it.

• Set up a radio and sitting area at front of museum, so visitors can listen to shows. There would be a guide available explaining the significance. Also, period literature would be available for people to examine
• Set up study for visitors to interact in. Feature area at desk where visitors to share their feedback on the exhibit (feelings, etc)
• Possibly build in areas in the desk to feature memories and info (look into the past)

Amanda DeMarco- museum interactives in exhibit, focusing on Uncle Sam.

• Interactive would focus on how images have changed over time
• Activity to draw your own political cartoon (could be a great way to tie in political issues going on at Hartwick)

Points to Remember

• Transition from collecting role in 20th century to justify existence, generate more income, broaden audience base, engage and reflect community, and foster learning/education
• No longer passive
• More demands on leisure time and opportunities
• More communities want to be represented
• CHANGE OR DIE
• Too many museums and attractions with new ones opening

How to respond?

• Focus on the image projected to outside world and the impact on expectations of visitor
• Contents (buildings, collections, exhibitions, associated activities)
• The operations
• Quality of experience will determine if visitor will come back
• Role of museum is to find contemporary ways to engage audience with their collections
• Other ideas?

Our Education Vision

Examples:

• Museum Education and Programs at The Yager Museum enable the college community to make personal meaning of Museum collections; explore their creative potential individually and collaboratively; and consider the role of the Museum and its collections in their lives today.
• Glenbow Museum's school programs enrich the learning opportunities for Alberta students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The educational programs support students in learning about the history of their region while also broadening their horizons through international exhibitions and programs. Over 40,000 school children participate in Glenbow Museum's school programs annually.
• The Division of Education of the Philadelphia Museum of Art relates, through interpretation, the Museum’s collections and its commitment to their preservation, study and display, to the needs and interests of a diverse audience. The department has developed nationally and internationally recognized programs for children, families, teachers, adult learners, and special audiences alike.
• A visit to the Powerhouse Museum combines observation and interaction to enhance students’ knowledge and understanding, while developing new learning skills and interests across a wide range of study areas. Use our Teachers Guide to find all the exhibitions, programs and resources you need to make your visit the complete learning excursion for your class.
• The Museum can inspire children to achieve loftier goals through stories of vision made real. They will be told in a manner that educates and entertains; they will be told with respect for the richness and diversity of the many cultures of Dallas; and they will be told accurately and honestly.
  Museum visitors will gain an understanding of how the past teaches us of our present and our future. Visitors will learn.

Museum in Transition

I hope you all enjoyed the visit to The Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium. As I've mentioned, this museum is a great example of an organization reexamining their mission and the process that results. As we learned, the museum offered a little bit of everything: art, history, science, and technology. Now with a new mission, exhibits, and education programs, the museum has strengthened their role in the community and seen their attendance increase dramatically. It will be exciting to watch how the museum continues to grow and develop. What did you take away from our trip? Any ideas for the Yager Museum?

Questions to Think Over

As I mentioned in class, here are a serious of questions that were asked at the AAM session, "Eye on Design: Inspiration from Outside the Museum." Do you think these are applicable to the Yager Museum? Do you have any answers to share?

• What design elements will bring a new breed of visitor through the door?
• How can you inspire your visitors to think of your museum as their museum?
• How can we tap into memories of childhood to make risk-taking comfortable in the design process?
• Do you consider the visitor a design element?
• How can people create and maintain personal spaces in public museums?
• How can you give peopel the props, setting, and social support so that they freely exchange ideas and skills?

See you all at 8:30am in front of the Yager Museum tomorrow.

Event Plan Template

Here is the event planning template that Amanda Pinney presented in class:

Name of Event – Date of Event

Event:


Details:


Administration:


Membership:


Visitor Services:


Security:


Retail/Museum Shop:


Facilities:


Group Sales:


Multi Media:


Public Relations:


Photos:


Curatorial/Collections:


Miscellaneous:

Online Resources for Museum Education

Returning from AAM, web 2.0 was the hot topic. Museums are using web 2.0 to increase their outreach, start new conversations, and engage their audience in new ways. AAM even added a blog for their Annual Meeting this year. Check it out here. From video to Facebook applications, museums are using social networking to facilitate new approaches to their collections and exhibitions. Museums are even making more of their resources available online. Are they giving away the experience or building another layer of interaction for the visitor? As we take a look at some of these new ideas in class, think about applications in the Yager Museum.

Share Your Event Feedback!

Following up on our discussion with the Baseball Hall of Fame's Manager of Museum Programs, Amanda Pinney, on Thursday, please post your event wrap up points to Amanda's post. Some of you have already posted, so I'm just reminding everybody else. These are points to improve on for next year or just your general ideas and feedback. Also, take a look at the American Association of Museums website and the program sessions being offered at the Annual Conference in Denver.

So far, the following sessions are of interest to some of your classmates:

• Sunday, 2:15-5 Curators, Objects, and Interpretation: New Approaches to reach the visitor
• Tuesday, 10-11:45 Eye on Design: Inspiration from outside the museum

Resources to Explore

The Smithsonian has a number of great resources listed at the following link.

http://museumstudies.si.edu/Network1H.html

Event Discussion Questions

Amanda Pinney, Manager of Museum Programs at the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, has provided the following questions for class discussion on Thursday.

What was the purpose of the event? Was the purpose clear? Did the event serve it's purpose?

What were your event goals? Were these goals met?

Who was your target audience? Did they attend? If so, why? If not, why? Did you attract other audiences? If so, who and why?

How did you prepare for the event? Is there anything you should have done differently?

How did you publicize the event? Is there anything you should have done differently?

How did you implement the event? Is there anything you should have done differently?

How did you evaluate the event? Is there anything you should have done differently?

Overall, was the event successful? If so, why? If not, why?

Should you hold another event similar to this in the future? Why or why not?

Schenectady Museum

Hi Everyone,

Your field trip to the Schenectady Museum is just a few weeks away. Here are some things you can do before you arrive:

1. Check out our website - http://www.SchenectadyMuseum.org
2. Think about questions you may have for a mid size museum that is transitioning itself from a little bit of everything into the Science Center of Tech Valley. We do dream big here.
3. Think about questions you may have for me, my background is in history/archaeology and Museum Education. Now I'm working for a more science/technology oriented museum.
4. If there is anything in advance you want to ask me, feel free to email me at Frank@SchenectadyMuseum.org

See you in a feww weeks!

ilene

A Success!

There is no question that our event, Connecting with the Earth: Traditions in Action, was a success. You all should be happy with your efforts, and I hope you had fun too. We also have the evidence in hand to support your impact. We received 32 surveys, which I have aggregated. We will review this information on Thursday in our wrap up session. I hope you can all e-mail me your pictures before Thursday, so we can also review them. Again, great job! Willard Yager would be proud (and even his descendant had a great time).

Sincerely,

Andrew

Get the Word Out!

Posted on behalf of Donna:

The orange and green posters are ready for distribution. Peggy has already been by to take her copies, and the remaining posters are on Denise's desk in the office for Amanda, Jessie, and Anna to take and post. I will be out of the office on Thursday, but Nancy will be here if you need anything. Otherwise, all arrangements (including tent in case it does rain) are confirmed. We'll have a few students in early on Saturday to put the feet down on the floor in the indoor spaces and draw chalk feet on cement (the vinyl doesn't stick there). We'll be ready in the museum on Friday afternoon with tables and chairs (I'm not sure what you need in terms of blankets), and we'll put a few beaded objects in cases for the surrounding area. I'll be in all day on Friday if you need anything else--we're ready here in the museum for Saturday!

Event Planning

Action Plan-

• Class meets at 9:30am in front of Yager Museum
• Hawk Circle will arrive at 9:30am
• Set up on Frisbee Field and in the Yager Museum
• Set up poles on field and down stair case
• 11am breakfast available in Yager Museum
• On the hour- class will switch locations (Peggy and Anna start in Yager and Amanda and Jessica start on Frisbee Field)
• 12pm lunch availabe on Frisbee Field
• Ongoing- hand out and collect evaluations
• 4pm start cleaning up

To Do-

• Supplies: Painters tape, pens, blankets for beading activity, tables and chairs, digital camera, cleaning supplies, anything else
• Feature beaded collections objects in the Museum
• Put footprints in front of Yager Museum and line stair case with poles
• Signage (need to develop brochure to hand out- post card) and on front door
• Finalize evaluation and print out- 150 copies
• Dress code

Museum Education in the 21st Century

Museum Edcuation in the classroom:

• Enhance curriculum
• Make available objects and interpretive materials that can bring classroom teaching to life (connecting to the past, etc)
• Offer opportunities for children to learn about their local communities and assist schools in their responsibility to deliver Citizenship
• Set up innovative and exciting activites for children in subjects to help develop skills like communication and bring out creativity

THE PROBLEM: Museums and Schools sometimes work together. Museums are not seen as an integral to schools. True for the Yager Museum. Any ideas on solutions?

We need to answer the questions:
How do we work with schools, teachers, and children (establish a our baseline)? And more importantly, what do we need to do better?

One could be marketing:
Keys to museum education marketing success:
1) Develop and maintain credibility.
2) Build on successes.
3) Know the competition.
4) Find a market niche.

Be sure to define the Five P's of Marketing: Product, Positioning, Place, Price, and Promotion.
Product- what you have to offer
Positioning- what makes you different?
Place- How you fit the needs of the educator
Price- Good price for what you have to offer
Promotion- Awareness of your product

Political Cartoons Exhibit Project

As we discussed in class, the John Harmon Cassel political cartoon exhibit will be a feature for 2009. Here is a summary of some of the ideas that may be included in the exhibit. We discussed the cartoons being incorporated with vignettes, helping better illustrated and put into context such issues depicted as banking crises, crime, or political issues. The exhibit will try to use contemporary issues to connect the past to the present. The exhibit may also include an element featuring a child's perspective to help attract and relate to younger audiences. This could involve toys, entertainment, food, or other areas. The overall goal is to have an interplay between exhibition, education, and interaction.

Each of you will focus your museum education project on this exhibit. Included here is a summary of possible ideas from class discussion:

• Blog to set up material and activities for pre and post visits
• Connect programs and activities with art, history, and political science students
• Education packet for students
• Oral history program
• Activity worksheet
• College students and political activism forum/program series
• Family history presentation program
• Economic idea (Depression)
• Visual context (develop programs/activities using period photos or even comic books)
• Hobo program
• Scavenger hunt (tie in to 1930s movies)
• Interactives (flour sack clothing, etc)

Add your own ideas. Remember, select one and touch base with me. Your process paper will focus on this idea.

Fun Is Good!

Bringing "Fun Is Good" into the Yager Museum:

• Museum environment- keep relaxed and open
• Encourage sharing ideas and creativity
• Get attention, strengthen brand and visibility with weird and wacky ideas
• Be whimsical about the approach
• Incorporate an aspect of fun in everything you do
• Ask questions about the process and how to make things more accessible
• Make fun of what we do
• Make what we do so uncool, it is cool (example of Museum Club t-shirt)

Try new ideas that are not traditional. What are ideas for the Yager Museum? Maybe a social mixer in the Museum on Valentine's Day? Or a study break program or event during Final Exams? How about 24 hours of programs in the Museum focused on a special cause or to kick off the school year? Share your ideas here!

New Home on Facebook!

The Yager Museum has a new home on Facebook! We have joined the social networking world. Take a look at the updated profile and leave your feedback here. Invite your classmates and friends to join the Group and get the word out about our April 19th special event.

The Yager Museum on Facebook

Updated Yager Museum Visitor Survey

Our proposed Yager Museum Visitor Survey has been updated. As we discussed, the Survey will change depending if the participant has visited the Museum or not. Please share your feedback and any suggested changes. We will begin to solicit feedback in the next couple of weeks.

CLICK HERE: SURVEY

Event Questions

Here is an update on the food for our event:
Morning refreshments – Museum entrance hallway (40) and outside (Yager Patio or tent on Frisbee Field) (85)

• Coffee and brewed tea
• Mini Muffins – blueberry, maple, pumpkin
• Cubed melons, strawberries, grapes, apples

Lunch – Yager Patio or tent on Frisbee Field (125)

• Turkey Chili
• Corn muffins w/ whole roasted corn kernels
• Long grain and wild rice with dried cranberries
• Pumpkin soup with whole-grain bread
• Maple cookies
• Apple cider (hot and cold), ice water

As we continue our event planning, here are our questions to be addressed:

• What are the set up requirements for beadmaking and flint napping (tables and chairs...if so, how many)?
• What is involved in training for the beadmaking activity?
• What do we need for ropemaking? And where would it take place?
• What is our marketing plan?
• Other questions or comments?

Crafting Our Title and Description

As we discussed in class, here is my draft for our program title and description. Please share your feedback and suggestions....comment away:

Title:

• Connecting to the Earth: Traditions in Action
• Connecting to the Earth: Your Yager
• The Yager Project: Earth Traditions in Action
• The Yager Connection: Bringing Earth Traditions to Life

Description:
Join The Yager Museum on April 19th from 11am to 4pm for "(insert title)," featuring Hawk Circle and a series of interactive wilderness education programs. The event will feature Native traditions, including boiling sap and flint napping on Frisbee Field, while a beaded necklace activity takes place in the Yager Museum. The event also features "Containers of Belief," a Yager special exhibit of Native American containers, uses, and craftsmanship. Refreshments, including Native foods, will be available. The event is free to all. For more information, call The Yager Museum at (607)-431-4480.

Museum Movement Techniques

Museum Movement Techniques

What is it about?

• MMT allows children to experience the line, shape, volume, and kinetic energy of museum objects.
• Not about reacting to museum object, but interpreting object.
• Tool for learning expands the museum audience base to include the kinesthetic learner
• And tool for communication provides the museum visitor with another dimension to create meaning and understanding for museum objects

5 concepts

• Mirror-realistic or animate museum object- duplicated museum’s object with bodies- FROZEN POSE
• Alive- realistic or animate museum object- create movements inspired by lines and shapes of the museum object- POSE AND THEN MOVEMENT
• Map- abstract or inanimate museum object- finds children reading the different lines and shapes of museum object with their bodies- TRACE LINES AND SHAPES
• Express- abstract or inanimate museum object- encourages children to convey the emotional impact of museum object’s line and shape- USES MAP with 1,2,3 cue, but asks for interpretation
• Composition- used with realistic/animate or abstract/inanimate museum objects- challenges children to work together to sequence movements portraying spatial concepts (line and shape) and expressive (emotive and descriptive) qualities- MANY SHAPES- worked out as groups

Multiple Intelligences

"It is of the utmost importance that we recognize and nurture all of the varied human intelligences, and all of the combinations of intelligences. We are all so different largely because we all different combinations of intelligences. If we recognize this, I think we will have at least a better chance of dealing appropriately with the many problems that we face in the world (Howard Garner)."



Multiple Intelligences: What is it all about?

• Different way of looking at intelligence and how to measure it
• It is all about how we learn

8 ways

• words (linguistic intelligence)
• numbers or logic (logical-mathematical intelligence)
• pictures (spatial intelligence)
  music (musical intelligence)
• self-reflection (intrapersonal intelligence)
• a physical experience (bodily-kinesthetic intelligence)
• a social experience (interpersonal intelligence), and/or
• an experience in the natural world. (naturalist intelligence)

Museums and Objects

"A museum is the best device our culture has developed for the transmission of ideas to large numbers of people through the exhibition of genuine objects. This is the museum's strength. This is what it can do better than any other kind of institution yet devised...like other kinds of institiutions, the museum has both strengths and weaknesses; if it abandons its strong ability to exhibit genuine objects and moves toward the province of some other sort of institution, its success in transmitting its ideas inexorable decreases...Failure threatens an exhibition with long labels simply because a museum is not the right device for transmission of the written word. A museum is not a book" (quoted by B. Sweeny).

Ice Harvesting Anyone?

It was a beautiful day to visit Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith. After an overview of the museum's ice harvest program, we had a nice stroll around the museum grounds. I think we all enjoyed the visit. I think we all recognize that sites like Hanford Mills truly bring history to life. You can also see the essential role that museum education plays in their mission and programs. Is there a better way to create a learning experience (or lifelong memory) than to have kids harvesting their own ice blocks with the tools of the trade? It makes you wish for a return to the days before electricity. Or maybe not.

More importantly, our visit today gets us thinking about ideas for our own projects and the Yager Museum. A couple ideas that we discussed on the way back to Hartwick are listed. Any other thoughts?

• Pre and post school curriculum visit information incorporated into the Yager Museum website (Hanford Mills has recently added this feature, and it is great!)
• Pre and post info and education for our April 19th public program (our facebook profile is one way, and our blog is another)
• Teacher workshops on how to use museum resources and integrate into the classroom (The Yager Museum could hold an open house for the faculty and showcase museum resources and suggestions for use)

Readings for Tuesday, March 18th:
1) Talboys Chapter 6 “User Groups” pp. 51-65
2) Falk and Dierking Chapter 5 “The Physical Context: Exhibits and Labels” pp. 67-81
3) Paris Chapter 14 “Object-Based Learning and Family Groups” pp. 245-259
4) Paris Chapter 16 “Pathways Among Objects and Museum Visitors” pp. 285-299

Clothing Attire

Don't forget your boots tomorrow! With the rain and warm weather, we will be looking at mud and more mud at Hanford Mills Museum.

Big Picture Questions

Recapping Donna's questions on our SWOT analysis, let's work to answer these in the next couple of weeks.

1) I would like to challenge the group to consider that most museums face a reality that their audience is a smaller, more self-select group than the wider population. The future of all museums (including the Yager) is to cultivate the self-selected "likely" visitors--from the Canadian research paper, those people who go to performances, read, and go to movies. At Hartwick this translates to serious students who are not heavy partiers, and who are interested in exploring culture and learning informally. So, the challenge is--how to we reach/communicate/integrate student input into programs with STUDENTS LIKE YOU?

2) How can we attract more attention to the Yager Museum? For example, better signage outside, footprints as we described, signage on other parts of campus, brochures in key places (admissions and in new student packets), banners on the outside of the building, etc.etc.?

3) How do we project the Yager Museum's strengths to the College community in a fun, appealing, nonthreatening way? Strengths you all came up with included:

Access to museum collections for class and research; look at objects in new
ways; collections which easily correspond to other academic departments and
courses in the college; museum is too access (for students) and hallway outside
museum is heavily travelled; willingness to educate (student curated exhibits
and hands-on experience); and willingness to help students (offers internships,
work study, volunteer opportunities, and lots of ways to get involved).

Feedback Please!

I just wanted to recap something our speaker, Melissa, brought up in class on Tuesday. I know you all discussed museum mission statements. I wanted to point out the "mission statement" for the Yager Museum, which I've put on our blog. Notice the word education anywhere? What about the word exhibit? Remember that exhibitions are a tool in museum education, not what a museum is all about. Also, as you take a look at the Yager Museum website, and notice that museum education isn't really represented as a topic area. I wonder if this needs to change?

PUBLIC PROGRAM UPDATE
Saturday April 19th, 2008
11am to 4pm

Goals:
1) Create a powerful personal experience
2) Involve the College Community (focus on first year students) in the Yager Museum and attract them to the Containers of Belief exhibit
a) Highlight collections objects to help inspire bead activity
b) Make connection between Containers of Belief and Frisbee Field activity (boiling syrup)

Theme:
Spring
Yager Fest

Program:
Yager Museum-
Beaded necklaces
Refreshments- maple syrup inspired (maple candies, syrup, maple tea, which is good iced and warm)
Possibly invite the Otsego County Maple Producers for syrup sampling

Frisbee Field-
Camp Fire
Maple Syrup making (sap boiling)
Music/Drumming
Flint napping
Nature hike

Both Locations-
Scavenger Hunt

Survey and Hawk Circle

1) I have posted the results from a survey of your classmates that my education class created last year. I think this will be helpful for you all, especially as we plan our program with Hawk Circle.

2) Following up on today's conversation with Ricardo, here is a quick summary of our discussion and our next steps.
Goals: 1) Create a powerful personal experience; 2) Immersing experience; 3) Source of creativity, source of inspiration; 4) Other?
Date and Time: April 19th, 11 am to 4 pm
Location: Front Lawn and Yager Museum
Program ideas:
Yager Museum location-Bead making; container decorations; and refreshments
Front lawn- Camp fire; food activities (meat drying, pumpkin stew, syrup boiling); pinch pots; charcoal making; making string; necklace making; bone polishing; drumming; and flint napping

Next Steps:
Post on the following topics:
1) Your ideas for our program goals.
2) Your preferences for our program. Keep in mind we will have activities going on in two locations. Once we have sorted this out, we will begin our discussion about budget.
3) Post your ideas for our program theme (what ties this all together?)
Posts need to be made by Tuesday

Awesome Student Survey

1. Have you ever been to the Yager Museum
Yes
94.1%-32
No
5.9%-2
answered question 34
skipped question 0

2. If no, why not?
ResponseCount 2
answered question 2
1. Topics arent interesting
2. I just personally have no interest in art
skipped question 32

3. If yes- Why did you go?
The pleasure of seeing the collections and exhibits at the Yager.
65.6%-21
I went for an art-related course.
25.0%-8
I went for another academic course.
40.6%-13
I got lost on my way to the library
6.3%-2
Other (please elaborate)
18.8%-6
1. To visit friends exhibits and ceremonies
2. i went with my friend who takes a class that required her to go
3. I'm a museum studies minor
4. Special Events held there
5. I never been there in the four years I went to Hartwick. I wanted to see it once before I graduated.
6. events held there
answered question 32
skipped question 2

4. What did you learn or gain from your museum experience?
answered question 24
skipped question 10
1. I realized how many creative exhibits are available in Yager. I made it a point to visit throughout the semester.
2. I learned that the museum needs to work on engaging the student body.
3. Last year I learned about peoples' personal feelings about their eating disorders. It was nice to see an exhibit that was so relatable to a college campus. I think the museum should do more of those types of exhibits.
4. It has been a while but I've learned more about museums from the museum studies minors than the museum. I like the museum and I think its a great resource for students who are in the museum studies program or anyone else who likes museums.
5. peace, the museum brings me peace when i visit
6. An appreciation for art that I'd never seen beofore
7. I didn't realize that the museum was so unique and had such interesting work.
8. That our museum needs work, but has potential. I also usually learn something from the exhibits.
9. i think that it is wonderful to have a museum right on campus - it is a place where much learning and appreciation of art can be done
10. cultural variety
11. nothing
12. i learned about the material being presented in the exhibits and i have made connections with people in the museum studies department
13. I really like the exhibits and attend most of the openings.
14. I loved the new masks exhibit. Its great to learn about all the corners of the world right on our campus. The eating disorder one last year was very moving.
15. The museum provides another source for intertextual study. Exhibits are not only valuable on their own but also in the context of all the other information we are exposed to during our education. At the very least I walk away from the museum having been exposed to a valuable aesthetic.
16. The fact that we have a museum on campus with rotating exhibits and artifacts is truly a gift to Hartwick. It allows students a unique cultural experience that you can't gain on many other college campuses.
17. I went for one of the food-related exhibits last year. I thought it was presented very nice and I learned a lot about eating disorders (ect...)during my visit.
18. that all depends on the exhibit
19. It was nice to have a collection of art right on campus with such a variety. The old work was definately valuable.
20. That there is a lot of under utillized space but it is a great spot
21. Each course gave a different perspective about the art and historical objects presented.
22. I learned that there are a lot of nice things - but extrememly expensive.
23. The Yager Museum has a wide collection of artifacts and pieces
24. exposure to other arts and artwork

5. Currently, what is most inviting or delightful about the museum?

The staff
9.1%-3
The hours of operation
0.0%-0
The location- bottom of the library
18.2%-6
The sweet exhibits
21.2%-7
The various objects available for pondering and introspection
39.4%-13
Something else?
12.1%-4
1. it's small and local, and i don't have to go off campus to visit a museum.
2. the museum shop... amazing!
3. it is there
4. Nothing, really.
answered question 33
skipped question 1

6. What would encourage you and your comrades to visit the museum more frequently?

More diverse exhibits
55.9%-19
More events like concerts, speakers, etc.
73.5%-25
Better publicity
50.0%-17
More hours open
20.6%-7
Please share...
11.8%-4
1. things pertaining to rock and roll
2. letting students know that admission is free
3. I liked the mardi gras event last year, more things like that with raffels
4. I love to attend museum opening it provides a real sense of academic culture on campus
answered question 34
skipped question 0

7. If the museum were to refocus its purpose what would like to see?
More exhibits about topics discussed in the classroom.
51.5%-17
More text and interactive elements to the exhibits.
27.3%-9
More of a focus on Hartwick College's past and present.
33.3%-11
I want to see more of the collections- Show me the paintings!!
48.5%-16
Other (tell more)
15.2%-5
1. exhibits that are interesting
2. If there is a need for more students to go to the museum, I would incorporate a few controvercial exhibits once in a while...get the students thinking outside the box
3. interactive exhibits, REAL artwork
4. no photos
5. I want to see famous art or themes like modern art or realism
answered question 33
skipped question 1

8. What is the best way to spread the word about events at the Yager?
emails
41.2%-14
people tabling outside the Commons
20.6%-7
posters
58.8%-20
shouting from loud speakers
23.5%-8
Other Ideas
5.9%-2
1. the TV? or student union movie ads?
2. events at the museam, even if they have nothign to do with it - it will get people inside
answered question 34
skipped question 0

9. Please share any tid-bits or suggestions that come to mind about the museum.
1. Few freshmen know about it. Try targeting them in your publicity.
2. I'm very happy the musuem is continuing on without selling its paintings. To me the musuem puts liberal arts in practice and I hope more students get involved. Keep up the good work!
3. it is amways interesting the lighting is comforting i go to find peace... ...and shop i did all my christmas shopping there this year the coupons are fantastic! Keep up the great work!
4. I love the museum staff and appreciate all of the hard work they put into making the museum a success. Also the museum is an under used resource. Professors and students alike to not take advantage of the museum
5. the museum needs to let students especially freshmen know that there i no admission fee for students, because i know so many people who have neglected to go because they thought they didnt have enough money to pay an admission fee, even tho there was one. once i informed these 3 people of this they have frequented the museum.
6. re-do the green room. make it more accessible and fun for students why don't the exhibits have a lot to do with hatwick college?
7. Food brings people!
8. The exhibits are fabulous but I sometimes miss out on them from now knowing about them...more advertisement would be great because I'm always impressed with the set ups of the exhibits.
9. I personally have walked by the yager museum alot because i work at the library. I just feel the exhibit rooms to too bare. The one room that i notice the most bareness in is the canoe one. I just think if there were more interactive pieces in there more people would come. I think the museum store is awesome, and i must say that one exhibit outside the museum where the art is made out of butter is soooo cool. It amazes me each time i walk by. For people not interested in art so much as myself if i saw more things such as that i would make more of an effort to stop by
10. Exhibits need to be more student related/ more publicity to get people to come. Also more seating in the galleries would give art students the ability to have a place to sketch, so it is less awkward.
11. the location of the museum is a little out of the way and many people don't pass that way - hence why many students don't go down there. Maybe if it were in dewar, it would attract more students. It is kind of hidden away. The exhibits are not that interested - and if they are, they are never publicized enough or at all.
answered question 11
skipped question 23

Threats

Comment on the threats of the Yager Museum (related to museum education):

Opportunities

Comment on the opportunities of the Yager Museum (related to museum education):

Weaknesses

Comment on the weaknesses of the Yager Museum (related to museum education):

Strengths

Comment on the strengths of the Yager Museum (related to museum education).

Museum Education SWOT Analysis

As I mentioned, this activity is to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to museum education at the Yager Museum. Please share your ideas for each of the elements in the following 4 posts. Think outside the box.

Museums Impact on Education

What it is all about:
From Hein and Alexander “Introduction” pp. 9-10:

1) Museums make content and ideas accessible, facilitating intellectual "connections" and bringing together disparate facts, ideas, and feelings.
2) Museums affect values and attitudes, for example, facilitating comfort with cultural differences or developing environmental ethics.
3) Museums promote cultural, community and familial identity.
4) Museums foster visitor interest and curiosity, inspiring self-confidence and motivation to pursue future learning and life choices.
5) Museums affect how visitors think and approach their worlds, in contrast to what they think.