The Art Engager

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 partnersHow 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 facilitatorPlanning with care while staying responsive to participants during each sessionWhy success in this work is understood through connection and wellbeing rather than traditional learning outcomesWhat an Artful Moments session looks like in practice, from first communication and arrival to gallery conversations, making activities, and leaving the museumWhy attention to the whole visit experience really mattersA 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 PatreonEpisode LinksArt Gallery of Hamilton website: www.artgalleryofhamilton.comArtful Moments eLearning site: www.artfulmoments.caA 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/801998446/77939bc3d0Rosemary's story: https://vimeo.com/809930852/fb94d13a5dAlso: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-momentsArtful Moments also included in Chapter 4 of this book (2024): https://www.intellectbooks.com/art-education-in-canadian-museumsAn 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: 10.1177/1471301217744025Show Links✨ If you've enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Art Engager on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerOr 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

Menka Sanghvi, a researcher and the founder of Just Looking, dives deep into the art of attention. She explores the importance of ordinary moments and how our attentional filters shape perception. Menka discusses the striking contrast between algorithmic seeing and intentional looking, encouraging listeners to reclaim their focus. With insights on nurturing curiosity and kindness in our observations, she offers practical advice for engaging with the world more meaningfully. Menka's vision aims to transform the way we notice, reflect, and connect.

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 episodeHow museums are rethinking their roles in wellbeing and resiliencePractical examples of care-centred work in actionThe emotional and organisational challenges of supporting wellbeingThe importance of caring for the people who care for othersFeaturingJulia 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 PatreonLinksNEMO – Network of European Museum OrganisationsNEMO 2025 Statement on Museums and WellbeingConference webpage with recordings✨ If you've enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Art Engager on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerOr 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

Dr. Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson, Executive Director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative, explores how visual perception impacts leadership and decision-making. She discusses her innovative museum-based sessions for executives that combine slow looking with perspective-taking, enhancing empathy and communication. Zab reveals the neuroscience behind these practices and how group dialogues transform art into shared learning experiences. Plus, learn why rules like 'no pointing' matter and how spending an hour with a single artwork fosters deeper connections.

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:Book anniversary quick survey The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums (Claire's book)Episode 148: How to create active engagement on guided experiencesEpisode 142: Building Trust and Psychological Safety on guided experiencesThe 10 Questioning Practices (QPs) from The Art EngagerThe Thinking Museum® ApproachThe 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.As mentioned in the episode, share what's been most helpful from The Art Engager book and what you'd like to see next: Share your input here. https://clebown.typeform.com/to/l9e6mzN9

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 textsDiscover why the museum environment uniquely supports creative confidence and expressionExplore how visual art can serve as a bridge to poetry for diverse audiencesUnderstand how to help visitors overcome intimidation about poetry and writingThis 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. Support the show on Patreon and find more resources at thinkingmuseum.com‘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/buytheartengagerThe Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerEpisode Links: Art inspires youth poetry at MOCA  ARTful Conversations https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-demirdjian-a102488/https://www.instagram.com/poetinastudio/https://www.poetryconsults.com/museums-libraries

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. Support the show on Patreon and find more resources at thinkingmuseum.com‘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/buytheartengagerThe Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerEpisode Links:Manchester Museum website Manchester Museum Instagram Article on European Museum of the Year Article on decolonisationNew York Times article following reopening

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 stepHow to develop comfort with uncertainty and not knowingWhy it helps to start small and build confidence graduallyThe role of flexible structures (like Questioning Practices) in supporting inquiryPractical ways to manage time, participation, and group dynamicsBuilding your facilitation toolkit step by stepWhy practice and reflection are essential for growing your skillsHow to reframe “failure” as a valuable learning opportunityResources mentioned in this episode:The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums (my book)Episode 143: Uncertainty: Finding Wonder in Not Knowing with Maggie JacksonEpisode 137: How to Use the UniversalEpisode 142: Building Trust and Psychological Safety on Guided Experiences in MuseumsEpisodes 95 & 96: The Power of Silence in Guided ExperiencesEpisode 66: 7 Ways to Improve Your Active Listening SkillsEvery single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/–––✨ If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Art Engager on Patreon. Or pick up a copy of my book, The Art Engager, for step-by-step guidance on creating meaningful, interactive guided experiences.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/buytheartengagerThe Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngager

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.

Discover the art of slow looking with engaging insights on introspective versus extrospective approaches. Learn practical tips for fostering observational skills, and explore strategies to embed slow looking in personal and professional practices. Claire discusses the significance of Slow Art Day, sharing its global impact and radical inclusivity. Dive into how museums like the Van Gogh Museum embrace slow looking, and uncover the mental health benefits associated with contemplative observation. This curated journey is a must-listen for art lovers seeking deeper connections.