The Art Engager

Today I’m delighted to be talking to playwright, theatre director, teaching artist and museum educator Mary Hall Surface about her work. We’re talking all things creative and reflective writing through art. As a museum educator, she uses both theatre and creative writing to expand perspective, uncover complexity, and deepen understanding. She is the founding instructor of National Gallery of Art’s Writing Salon in Washington DC, and a six-summer faculty member of Harvard’s Project Zero Classroom.  Her plays have been produced at major professional theatres, museums, and festivals throughout the US, Europe, Japan, Taiwan, and Canada, including 4 art-inspired productions at the National Gallery of Art. During the pandemic, she has developed an online presence too - facilitating creative and reflective writing workshops and classes, all inspired by art for museums, schools, and arts centres throughout the US. Mary Hall and I have a lot in common and in today’s chat we talk about our love of close looking, thinking routines and how you can use artworks to inspire writing. We talk about a variety of projects that Mary Hall has been involved in at the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the different types of online workshops that she teaches. Mary Hall shares 4 wonderful tips for how you can improve your writing through art - so make sure you don’t miss those. We really could’ve talked for hours and I loved our chat. So, here it is - enjoy!LINKSEPISODE WEB PAGESupport the ShowJoin the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookMasterclass with Mary Hall Surface 26 April: Inspire Your Memoir Writing through Visual ArtThe SAAM Social-Emotional Learning Toolkit:https://americanart.si.edu/education/learn-from-homeLink to Open Window, Collioure, 1905, Matissehttps://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.106384.htmlLink to Edward Hopper, People in the Sun, 1960, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., https://americanart.si.edu/artwork/people-sun-10762Mary Hall Surface - website and mailing list sign up: www.maryhallsurface.comUpcoming Smithsonian Associates workshop: Mothering: A Reflective Writing WorkshopUpcoming Van Gogh/Mary Oliver Workshop: Springs’ Awakening: A Reflective Writing WorkshopWriters’ Studio on the Amalfi Coast

I’m back with a new episode today all about my favourite subject .I'm talking about 'bad' questions, and specifically, 10 types of questions you should never ask (or at least try to avoid!).Good questions can be many things: clear, simple and purposeful, but also relevant, concise and perhaps, even powerful.But is there such a thing as a 'bad' question?And if so, what types of questions are 'bad'? Why types of questions should we be avoiding on our museum tours and programmes?To find out the 10 types of questions I chose, listen in to today's show! ResourcesEPISODE WEB PAGESUPPORT THE SHOWJoin the SLOW LOOKING CLUB Community on FacebookOther Art Engager episodes about questioning:Episode 4 The 5 Golden Rules for Asking Brilliant QuestionsEpisode 10 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Asking QuestionsEpisode 15 How to Use Artworks to Improve your Questioning SkillsEpisode 36 Quick ways to improve your questioning techniqueFind me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedInSign up for my weekly dose of carefully-curated inspiration The TM Weekly

As you may or may not know, I’ve recently had Covid (and you can probably hear it in my voice) I’m taking some time to recover. So as we’re approaching 50 episodes, I thought I would take the time today to revisit an episode from the back catalogue. Today we’re revisiting an episode all about thinking routines that you can use for perspective-taking. This episode first aired in July 2021. It takes a deep dive into what perspective-taking is, and why it matters. Then I look at 4 essential perspective-taking thinking routines that you can use in your programmes - from the ever-so-useful Step Inside (one of my all-time faves), to new thinking routine Step In Step Out Step Back, via Circle of Viewpoints and little-known thinking routine Point of View. If you are leading any type of programme with groups then you need to have a perspective-taking thinking routine in your repertoire. As I say in this episode, perspective-taking is a crucial skill for all types of relationships - both professional and personal. And I believe we have a responsibility to encourage perspective-taking - In doing so, we might not only serve our audiences better, but also model a kinder society.LINKSSupport the show Ellen Galinsky ‘Mind in the Making’ 

Slow Art Day is an international event celebrating looking at art in a different way. This year Slow Art Day is taking place on Saturday 2 April 2022 in over 160 venues around the world (and counting…).So, what is Slow Art Day all about? Here’s what you need to know.LINKSEpisode Web PageThe Slow Looking ClubSupport the ShowSlow Art DayAnnual Report 2021

You may remember Samantha Boffin as she was my first guest on the show (Episode 21) and now she is the first guest to come back for a second episode. Besides being a voiceover artist, Sam is also an actor. Sam also does an improv class every week and believes that we are all expert improvisers - we just don’t realise we are. In this episode, Sam is sharing what improv is and how it can help us as educators in our own practice and when we’re with our groups leading programmes about art. We also talk about how improv makes you a better listener, how it makes you more confident and flexible and to not be afraid of failure. We discuss how we might be able to use improv techniques and games with our groups - from Yes, and…, Narrative, Colour, Emotion and line-by-line stories via Humpty Dumpty and Brian the washing machine repair man. We discuss how you can make your audience feel safe and comfortable using improv techniques. We had a really lovely chat and I hope you enjoy it. Here it is!LINKSEpisode Web PageMasterclass 29 March 'Improv your Engagement’Support the Show The Improv Handbook by Tom Salinsky & Deborah Frances WhiteHow to be the Greatest Improviser - Will Hineswww.samanthaboffin.co.ukLinkedIn Instagram   Taking Creative podcast Paul Merton interview:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00159s7 

A good introduction is essential to foster a great group dynamic. An introduction is crucial on any type of programme - whether you’re leading a guided tour, an educational programme, a 15 minute in-gallery conversation or an online session. At this stage, group participants are learning what to do, how the tour or programme is going to operate, what is expected and what is acceptable.It’s your role to give them the orientation they need. And more than that, a good introduction is about about placing connection before content - you're establishing trust, forming connections, and building rapport.Today I’m talking about introductions - why they’re important and the 4 elements of a great introduction. LINKSEPISODE WEB PAGEJoin our free Facebook Community Support the Show Curated Newsletter

In the light of recent world events and the troubled times we live in, in today’s episode I’m going to share some thoughts about facilitating meaningful discussions with artworks and objects around sensitive subjects in difficult times. Some programmes, tours or sessions specifically involve sharing difficult narratives and directly addressing challenging subjects. Other types of programmes might touch on subjects that can be contentious and/or sensitive. Or you may visit artworks or objects that can surface and bring up emotions, feelings and more.Particularly now with the devastation occurring in Ukraine, it’s important to be aware of and sensitive to these emotions and to be thoughtful when asking participants to share their personal connections around a subject. So today I'm sharing some advice that may be beneficial to you when facilitating an art discussion around a sensitive topic. I'm also going to touch on how you can look after yourself and manage your own emotions too. LINKSEpisode web pageJoin our free community - Slow Looking ClubEpisode 42 - How to Read a Group 

What does it mean to 'read a group'? It's the ability to understand the mood in the room and how receptive people are. When you’re working with groups in the museum or online, it’s extremely helpful to be able to know how to ‘read the room’. Paying attention to others and listening for clues can pay dividends. Being able to read a group and see how engaged they are, whether they are enjoying the programme, following along or even whether they are listening is extremely important. It's important to be able to pick up on clues not only from the discussions taking place, but also from the underlying reactions and things that are left unsaid from those in the room as well.These subtle cues aren’t always easy to pick up on, but you can train yourself to not only be aware of them, but to influence group dynamics, by paying more attention. So, in today's episode here are a few easy ways to read a group. LINKSEpisode Web PageJoin our FREE community The Slow Looking ClubSupport the Show

Slow looking is simply the art of learning through observation. I’ve been working in this way for the last 10+ years and can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone - both as an individual practice and as a way of working with and connecting your participants to art and objects. But don’t just take my word for it.  But, why would you want to slow down and spend time with just one artwork or object? Why is it important to practise paying attention and noticing more details?Looking at something slowly and carefully is in itself a rewarding process – the object or art work becomes more interesting the longer you look at it. But more than this, there are known benefits of slow looking and in this post, I’m going to take you through 12 reasons why you, yes, you, should get started with slow looking.LINKSEpisode Web PageJoin the FREE Slow Looking ClubSupport the Show Sign up for my Friday newsletter - The ™ WeeklyThe Art of Slow Looking in the Classroom  In The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High Tech World, authors Adam Gazzaley and Larry D. RosenWhy Looking at Art Makes you Smarter Peter Clothier

Have you been using the same thinking routines for a while now? Maybe you’ve got a few core routines that you’re comfortable with and now you’re looking for some new routines to add to your repertoire?I’m always looking for new ways to engage with our audiences and love trying out new routines in my membership monthly thinking routine classes. I really enjoy seeing all the possibilities of how this thinking routine might pair with different artworks, themes and situations.I’ve tried and tested these 5 routines extensively and they all work both online and offline with a variety of materials – artworks and museum objects, written texts, quotes and videos. Which 5 thinking routines did I choose? Listen in to find out!You can find in-depth classes about each of these thinking routines in the library of my membership programme. LinksEpisode Web PageThe Thinking Museum Membership ProgrammeSupport the Show Subscribe to my Friday newsletter - The TM Weekly