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: