Types and Pathways to Wonder in Museums

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 notes

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

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

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

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