The Art Engager 8 ways to foster more wonder in museum experiences
Jun 26, 2025
Discover the magic of wonder in museums! Learn how wonder differs from awe and curiosity, and why it's vital for adult experiences. Explore various types of wonder—intellectual, sensory, and historical—revealing how childhood perceptions can fade over time. Uncover eight practical strategies to reawaken wonder, from encouraging a beginner's mind to sharing surprising micro-stories. Find out how to invite multiple perspectives and connect artifacts to personal narratives, creating richer, more meaningful museum experiences.
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What Wonder Really Means
- Wonder is a feeling of amazement and admiration caused by something beautiful, remarkable or unfamiliar.
- Claire Bown defines wonder as a captivation distinct from awe and curiosity.
Wonder Versus Awe And Curiosity
- Wonder delights and captivates while awe overwhelms and curiosity drives active investigation.
- Claire Bown contrasts wonder, awe and curiosity to clarify their different effects in museums.
Wonder Is A Fundamental Capacity
- Humans are born with a capacity for wonder, evident in how children absorb the world.
- Claire Bown says wonder arises from paying deep attention to beauty, complexity and mystery.
