The Art Engager

Thinking routines are an essential part of the Visible Thinking in the Museum method and my core course, Visible Thinking in the Museum Online (VTMO).They have been a magical ingredient in helping me to confidently create engaging discussions around objects and artworks over the past 10 years.They’ve also been a great way to engage audiences to get them really interested in art and objects, making them curious and asking questions and, of course, getting them thinking. But what are thinking routines and how can you use them? And where does the magic happen? That’s what we’re discovering in episode 3!LinksThe Ultimate Thinking Routine List https://mailchi.mp/4dd4fbc3e870/ultimatethinkingroutinelistMaking Thinking Visible : How to Promote Engagement, Understanding, and Independence for All Learners By Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church, and Karin MorrisonThe Power of Making Thinking Visible: Practices to Engage and Empower All Learners by Ron Ritchhart, Mark Church Artful Thinking http://www.pz.harvard.edu/projects/artful-thinkingAgency by Design http://www.agencybydesign.org/Out of Eden Learn https://learn.outofedenwalk.com/Visible Thinking in the Museum Online www.thinkingmuseum.com/VTMOFREE CLASS : Getting Started with VTM Friday 7 May 15.00 hrs - sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/f2269441d126/springvtm

In this first episode, I’m going to be talking about the main method I use to engage audiences with art and ideas - that’s my Visible Thinking in the Museum method which I started developing 10 years ago this year. The Visible Thinking in the Museum method is an easy-to-follow framework that allows educators to confidently lead engaging discussion-based sessions with art, objects and ideas with any audience.  It takes elements of a framework called Visible Thinking from Harvard's Project Zero and combines them with museum education practices, facilitation techniques and questioning strategies. I didn’t know it at the time, but hearing the words ‘Visible Thinking’ was about to change everything.This method has influenced everything I’ve done in the past 10 years and has completely revolutionised the way I work. So, what is this Visible Thinking? How did I hear about it and how did I start to use it in my method? All will be revealed in this episode.LinksVisible Thinking http://www.pz.harvard.edu/projects/visible-thinking'Cultivating a Culture of Thinking in Museums' by Ron RitchhartThe Great Pustaha https://artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/the-great-pustaha/AQ2ZzxcN collection: Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, NLMadonna (After Omomá and Céline), 2008 collection: Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, NL

I believe engagement starts with slow looking.I’ve been practising the art of slow looking for the last 10 years as a personal practice and with groups of all ages with a variety of objects, artworks, situations and places. Slow looking has played a pivotal role in the most engaging discussions I've led over the last 10 years. Slow looking has played a pivotal role in the most engaging discussions I've led over the last 10 years. Recently, slow looking has become more popular with Tate ‘recommending’ slow looking for their Bonnard exhibition and the National Gallery offering slow looking art sessions for lockdown. In this podcast I’m going to take you right back to the basics and walk you through an introduction to slow looking - what it is, why it matters and how you can get started - and I'll be sharing lots of practical tips and suggestions too! LinksJennifer Roberts The Power of Patience https://harvardmagazine.com/2013/11/the-power-of-patiencePeter Clothier - One hour One painting video https://peterclothier.com/one-hour-one-painting/video-demonstration/James Elkins ‘How to Use your Eyes’Alexandra Horowitz ‘On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes’Shari Tishman ‘Slow Looking: The Art and Practice of Learning Through Observation’

Welcome to The Art Engager podcast! This podcast here to help educators, guides and creatives engage their audiences with art, objects and ideas. Each week I’ll be sharing a variety of strategies, ideas and inspiration to help you to engage and connect with your audiences and confidently lead lively art and artefact discussions.Show highlights:What The Art Engager podcast is all aboutHow & why creating real engagement with art and museum objects can be trickyWhat is Visible Thinking in the Museum?What we're going to be talking about on this podcastLinks:For more details please see the thinkingmuseum website.