The Art Engager

After 150 episodes exploring engagement in museums and cultural organisations – including 101 solo episodes and 49 guest conversations – host Claire Bown shares 10 of the most powerful insights that have emerged over four years of thinking deeply about engagement principles and practices.For this milestone episode, Claire revisited the entire back catalogue, re-listening to past episodes and looking for patterns. What she found were 10 essential insights about engagement that can shift how we think, plan, and work in museums today.What comes through again and again is the power of simple, intentional adjustments. These are practical strategies you can try out straight away.Four years and 150 episodes of exploring what really works in museum engagement – distilled into 10 essential principles for anyone working in museum and heritage education.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.SHOWNOTESEvery single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/‘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/TheArtEngagerMake a one-off donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/clairebownAll of the mentioned episodes:149 Art, Play and Joy at Compton Verney with Geraldine Collinge144 6 ways to create powerful connections in museum experiences137 How to use The Universal Questioning Practice136 What are Questioning Practices?131 Stimulating the senses: using smell to engage visitors with Sofia Collette Ehrich130 The power of inquiry, curiosity and questioning with Trevor MacKenzie125 How to build rapport in museum and gallery programmes99 Striking the right pace in museum programmes: less is more96 7 Ways to Make Time and Space for Silence95 How silence is a superpower in museum and gallery programmes90 How to Create Intellectual Comfort87 How to ask more open-ended questions81 7 Ways to Refresh your Practice in 202372 Reacting to art with our bodies with Rachel Ropeik61 How mindfulness and drawing can help us to connect with art with Karly Allen57 Bitesize: How to End Well – Creating a Strong Conclusion for your Programmes52 From Good to Great: Personal Growth & Development for Museum Educators49 Inspiring Creative Writing Through Art with Mary Hall Surface44 The 4 elements of a great introduction29 How to develop a reflective practice12 6 Best Practices for Sharing Information

In this episode host Claire Bown talks with Geraldine Collinge, Chief Executive at Compton Verney, about their bold approach to creating genuinely engaging cultural spaces through play, accessibility and joy.Geraldine shares how this unique 'art space in a park' in Warwickshire brings together a historic Robert Adam mansion, 120 acres of Capability Brown landscape, and six distinctive collections ranging from Chinese bronzes to British folk art. She explains how Compton Verney's core values - particularly their inclusion of 'fun' - guide everything from exhibition design to community engagement initiatives.Listen to discover their multisensory approach to gallery spaces that incorporates touch, smell and sound, doubling visitor numbers to their Naples collection. Learn about their 'play first' philosophy that encourages visitors of all ages to engage meaningfully with art through creative exploration, and hear about their 97% discounted community passes that are breaking down barriers to access. Geraldine also shares insights into how they're connecting art and nature through immersive experiences like 'Breathing with the Forest,' creating what she describes as a restorative experience that ultimately delivers on their promise: giving visitors 'a day full of joy.'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.comSHOWNOTES https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/Breathing with the Forest (now closed) - https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/whats-on/breathing-with-the-forest/What we do - https://www.comptonverney.org.uk/our-story/what-we-do/Geraldine Collinge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geraldinecollinge/ ‘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

In this 4th birthday episode of The Art Engager, host Claire Bown explores what active engagement really means and why it matters so much for creating meaningful guided experiences. She addresses what many educators struggle with – we know visitors learn better when actively participating, but how do we consistently make this happen in our daily practice?How can we move beyond knowing that active participation matters to actually implementing it day after day? What practical techniques make the difference between visitors following along and truly engaging?In this episode, Claire explores:Why traditional approaches often lead to disengagement (despite focusing on collection highlights)The spectrum from passive to active The fundamental mindset change required to create active experiencesHow to make your introductions more activeHow to transform questioning from testing knowledge to sparking genuine connection, and meaning-makingWays to use movement and positioning as powerful tools for engagement rather than defaulting to "follow the leader"Simple strategies to move beyond the 'hub and spoke' model and foster direct participant-to-participant interactionHow to share information in a responsive and adaptable way that offers multiple pathways into the core ideas.How to create active closings to help visitors reflect, connect, and carry something forward.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

In this episode of The Art Engager podcast, host Claire Bown talks with Sita Sargeant, founder and self-described 'Chief Troublemaker' at She Shapes History, a trailblazing Australian company on a mission. What began as weekly walks in Canberra has grown into a thriving social enterprise with nationwide expansion plans for their women-focused history tours.In today's conversation, Sita shares her people-centred approach to guide hiring and training, and how she builds community around a cause rather than just history. She offers valuable insights on designing experiences for specific audiences, creating consistent brand voice across all touchpoints, and using creative approaches such as post-tour feedback surveys to continuously improve quality and support guides.Useful for anyone leading museum tours, developing visitor experiences, or passionate about making history more engaging and accessible. Sita's practical wisdom and enthusiasm will change how you think about connecting audiences with stories that matter. Enjoy!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.SHOWNOTESSUPPORT THE SHOW with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerShe Shapes History website: https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/She Shapes History Book: https://sheshapeshistory.com.au/she-shapes-history-guided-walks-and-stories-about-great-australian-women/Instagram She Shapes History: https://www.instagram.com/sheshapeshistory/Sita Sargeant LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sita-sargeant/‘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/

In this episode, host Claire Bown talks with Tonia Dhaese and Armand Storck about the church-based Slow Art Day movement in Antwerp. We explore why churches provide ideal settings for slow looking and how the architecture, lighting, and atmosphere naturally encourage contemplation.For Slow Art Day 2025 (April 5), listeners will learn about events across four Antwerp churches, including St. Paul's exhibition featuring masterpieces by Rubens and Van Dyck displayed at eye level - a rare opportunity to get up close with artworks normally hung four metres high. Tonia and Armand share practical advice for churches interested in joining the movement, emphasising the importance of training guides to facilitate rather than lecture, maintaining flexibility in approaches, and creating inclusive experiences where no prior knowledge is required. Whether you're interested in slow looking techniques or considering how your own church might participate in Slow Art Day, this conversation offers lots of new insights into creating meaningful art experiences in sacred spaces.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.comSHOWNOTESSUPPORT THE SHOW with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerMKA website: https://mkantwerpen.be/St Paul's Church (Sint Paulus Kerk) Antwerp: https://www.sintpaulusantwerpen.be/en/Tonia Dhaese, Coordinator of Monumental Churches Antwerp (MKA), Tonia.Dhaese@antwerpen.beAntwerp’s Church-Based Slow Art Day Movement - https://www.slowartday.com/antwerps-church-based-slow-art-day-movement/‘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/

In this episode host Claire Bown talks with Francine Boon, a self-described 'sociologist turned mystery maker' and co-director of Sherlocked, an award-winning experience design studio based in Amsterdam, about transforming how visitors engage with museums through immersive storytelling and game design.Francine shares two major museum projects in this episode: her Rijksmuseum escape room that attracted 10,000 participants in nine weeks and received a 9.4/10 rating, and her recent Palace Mysteries project at the Amsterdam Royal Palace. Both demonstrate Francine's ability to reach difficult age demographics (12-18 and 10-12 year olds) through carefully designed puzzles and storytelling that connect visitors with museum collections.Listen to discover practical solutions for designing games in museum spaces, from protecting valuable objects to managing visitor flow. Learn how giving players specific roles encourages appropriate behaviour, explore techniques for building compelling narratives around objects, and find out how to ensure visitors engage meaningfully with collections rather than just playing games.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.comSHOWNOTESTorrentius painting mentioned in this episode: https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/Emblematic-Still-Life-with-Flagon-Glass-Jug-and-Bridle--9d74acc82f2cd8aa34b03be8414de0cfMuseumNext article: https://www.museumnext.com/article/unlocking-curiosity-transforming-the-rijksmuseum-with-an-escape-room-experience/Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/francineboonwebsite: www.sherlocked.nl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherlocked/Form to collaborate: www.sherlocked.nl/museums  ‘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

In today's solo episode, host Claire Bown explores why museums are as much about people as they are about objects, and shares six powerful ways to create meaningful connections in your guided experiences.How can museums provide spaces for genuine human interaction in our increasingly disconnected world? What might happen when we put 'connection before content' in our museum practice? In this episode, we're exploring the unique role museums play in bringing people together. Claire introduces the principle of 'connection before content' and explores the 5 layers of connection that create the conditions for engagement to flourish. Claire shares six essential strategies for creating powerful connections in guided experiences and reminds us that while visitors may forget the facts and figures, they'll remember how they felt and the connections they made.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 notesWhen You Connect, You Protect: The Impact of Social Connection on Mental Health, Ep. 172An interview with Jessica Gifford, LICSW, explaining the link between social connectedness and mental health.https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1437668161&i=1000604514535‘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

In this episode host Claire Bown talks with Maggie Jackson, an award-winning author, former Boston Globe columnist and independent scholar, about the power of uncertainty and how embracing not-knowing might transform our work in museums.Maggie Jackson's latest book "Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure" has been making waves - named on four top books of 2024 lists and recently awarded Nonfiction Book of the Year by the Independent Publishers of New England. Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscience research, Jackson explores how uncertainty affects how we think, learn, and work together.Listen to discover what her research might mean for museum educators and how understanding uncertainty better could transform our practice. Learn about to build your 'uncertainty tolerance', how hedge words like "maybe" can create space for multiple perspectives and interpretations, explore why productive disagreement leads to better group outcomes, and discover the difference between routine and adaptive expertise.This episode will change how you think about uncertainty. Discover how embracing not-knowing can enhance attention, deepen learning and create more meaningful connections with art and visitors alike.Want to learn more? Visit maggie-jackson.comThe 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.comSHOW NOTESUncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure is available nowwebsite -- https://www.maggie-jackson.com/uncertainNew York Times op-ed on uncertainty and resilience: https://www.maggie-jackson.com/the-gift-of-being-unsure-what-to-do-1Maggie Jackson on LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiejackson/‘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

In today's solo episode, host Claire Bown discusses the importance of trust and psychological safety in guided museum experiences.In this episode, we're looking at how to create the conditions that allow people to really engage with art and objects. We're going to explore why trust matters in museum facilitation, what psychological safety looks like in practice, and how to create environments where people feel able to share, question, and discover.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.Links‘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

In this episode host Claire Bown talks with Nicole Cromartie, Director of Learning and Engagement, and Paris Baker, Family, Early Childhood and Community Engagement Manager at the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver.Inspired by Nicole's experience with her baby niece 13 years ago, the Clyfford Still Museum has pioneered innovative ways to engage infants with art, including their groundbreaking 2022 exhibition 'Clyfford Still Art and the Young Mind' and Art Crawl, a monthly programme for infants and caregivers to explore art together through multi-sensory experiences.Listen in as Nicole and Paris share insights about their Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, the impact on families and caregivers, and how the program is now expanding beyond museum walls into community spaces. Learn about their successful strategies for creating welcoming environments for the youngest visitors, from professional development across departments to thoughtful program design.If you're interested in early childhood engagement in museums, creating inclusive spaces for young families, or exploring innovative approaches to art education, this episode offers valuable insights and practical recommendations for implementing similar programs.Want to learn more? Visit clyffordstillmuseum.org or email learning@clyffordstillmuseum.orgThe 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.Episode LinksInstagram: @still_museumEmail: learning@clyffordstillmuseum.orgCSM's website and Art Crawl's pageAAM article Here are some of the videos that we referenced in our conversationArt Crawl videoArt Crawl "Know Before You Go" video Infant Curation videoNew York Times article featuring Art Crawl https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-cromartie-31b19024/https://www.linkedin.com/in/paris-baker-74b71620a/Links‘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