For the next few weeks I’m choosing my favourite episodes from the back catalogue of the podcast. With over 100 episodes to now choose from, I’m taking this opportunity to revisit some of the episodes I’ve most enjoyed putting together. This week I’m sharing one of my absolute favourite episodes. I’m sharing 4 game changing questions that will really transform your museum and gallery programmes.  I’ve chosen questions that work for me time after time with all sorts of different groups, different artworks or objects, different types of museums and environments. These are all worth remembering (and carrying around in your educator 'back pocket'). LinksSupport the ShowSlow Looking ClubThe 5 Golden Rules for Asking Brilliant Questions⁠ (Episode 4)10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Asking Questions (Episode 10)How to use artworks to improve your questioning skills (Episode 15)Quick ways to improve your questioning technique (Episode 36) 3 Key Ways to Foster Curiosity in your Programme (Episode 38)How to Stay Curious in your Practice (Episode 39)‘Bad’ questions - questions to avoid in your art experiences (Episode 48) Autumn Effect at Argenteuil (1873), Claude Monet, Courtauld Gallery, London, UK, Public Domain https://courtauld.ac.uk/highlights/autumn-effect-at-argenteuil/Reyhan Hassanzadeh (2004) from the series: Terrorist, Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam, NLhttps://khosrow-hassanzadeh.com/project/terrorist-paintings-03/

For the next few weeks I’m choosing my favourite episodes from the back catalogue of the podcast. With 100 episodes to now choose from, I’m taking this opportunity to revisit some of the episodes I’ve most enjoyed putting together. Today's choice is all about curiosity. This was a really popular episode back in February 2022 when it was first published and was the first of two episodes about the subject. In this episode I’m talking about how you can cultivate curiosity with your groups.This episode talks about what curiosity is and why it matters. Then I'm sharing 3 key ways you can cultivate curiosity in your museum and gallery programmes. How can we really ensure that we are doing all we can to provoke curiosity and wonder amongst the participants on our tours and programmes?LinksEpisode Web PageSupport the Show Episode 39 - How to Stay Curious in your PracticeIan Leslie's book CuriousMy book is out in September - Slow Looking at Art: The Visible Thinking in the Museum ApproachDownload my free Slow Art GuideDownload the Ultimate Thinking Routine ListDownload the free guide - how to look at art (slowly)Join the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookCurated newsletter by Claire Bown

In this special 100th episode of The Art Engager podcast, I'm chatting to educator, researcher, author, and speaker Dr Ron Ritchhart. Ron Ritchhart is an award-winning educational researcher, retired Senior Research Associate at Harvard's Project Zero and current Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia. His research is focused on developing intellectual character, making thinking visible, and enhancing school and classroom culture to promote deep learning. He is the author of the bestselling books Making Thinking Visible, The Power of Making Thinking Visible, and Creating Cultures of Thinking.Ron's research and writings have informed the work of schools, teachers, museum and museum educators throughout the world. Making Thinking Visible, from 2011, with Karin Morrison and Mark Church popularised the use of thinking routines to facilitate deep learning and high engagement. The follow up book The Power of Making Thinking Visible, introduced a new set of routines and shared what has been learned so far about successfully integrating thinking routines as a powerful teaching tool. I’ve written and spoken about the first time I heard the words Visible Thinking and making thinking visible on the very first episode of this podcast so it seemed fitting to interview Ron for the 100th episode. I’ve also talked about how Ron’s article ‘Cultivating a Culture of Thinking in the Museum in the Journal of Museum Education had a huge impact on me and on my first educational programme to use thinking routines in 2011. So to speak to Ron today was a bit of a ‘pinch-me’ moment. In this interview, we discuss: what making thinking visible is and the difference between 'visible' and 'visual' thinking. what strategies we might use to make thinking visible and the transformative impact it has on learning and engagementhow we can cultivate a culture of thinking in museums through the eight cultural forces that shape group culture and how they can create an environment where thinking is valued, visible, and actively promoted in museum settings.The power of thinking routines as structures to support and guide thinking in museums, and how they work in synergy with other practicesthe importance of finding your "why" in teaching and facilitatingThank you to Ron Ritchhart for being a guest on the podcast. Ron’s new book, "Cultures of Thinking in Action," is out in June 2023. LinksEPISODE WEB PAGE (TRANSCRIPT)Support the ShowMy book is out in September - Slow Looking at Art: The Visible Thinking in the Museum ApproachDownload my free Slow Art GuideDownload the Ultimate Thinking Routine ListDownload the free guide - how to look at art (slowly)Join the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookCurated newsletter by Claire BownDr Ron Ritchhart links:Ron's websiteRon on Twitter Making Thinking Visible Facebook page Cultivating a Culture of Thinking in Museums Journal of Museum Education Vol. 32, No. 2, Critical-Thinking Skills in the Museum (Summer, 2007), pp. 137-153 (17 pages)Cultures of Thinking websiteRon's new book - Cultures of Thinking in Action - out early June!Project Zero - https://pz.harvard.edu/

Welcome to episode 99, where I'm diving into the concept of pacing in museum and gallery programmes, with a particular focus on the idea that "less is more."Pacing directly influences the participant experience. A well-paced programme ensures that your participants stay engaged, attentive and receptive throughout their journey. By carefully managing the rhythm and flow of stops, activities and information, we can create a balance that keeps our participants engaged without overwhelming or exhausting them. "Less is more" is a guiding principle that encourages us to intentionally selecting and presenting a smaller quantity of content, activities, or object, so that we can create more impactful and meaningful experiences for visitors. In this episode, I'll share how this can be achieved by:Streamlining content with a carefully curated selection of objects or artworks.Being selective, intentional, and thoughtful in programme design Incorporating different pacesAllowing time for participants to engageCustomizing and adjusting pacing in the spur of the momentEmphasizing quality over quantity Find out why pacing matters and how you can apply the principle of "less is more" in your own programmes to create a more focused and engaged experience for your participants. LinksSupport the ShowMy book is out in September - Slow Looking at Art: The Visible Thinking in the Museum ApproachDownload my free Slow Art GuideDownload the Ultimate Thinking Routine ListDownload the free guide - how to look at art (slowly)Join the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookCurated newsletter by Claire BownEpisodes mentioned in today's episode:Episode 98 Radio Bart: Exploring Art with Blind MediatorsEpisode 42 How to Read a GroupEpisode 69 How to use body language to create engagementEpisode 95 How silence is a superpower in museum and gallery programmesEpisode 96 7 Ways to Make Time and Space for SilenceEpisode 29 How to Develop a Reflective Practice

Welcome to a new episode of The Art Engager podcast, hosted by Claire Bown. In this week's edition, we dive into the extraordinary world of Radio Bart, a unique audience engagement programme at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp. Joining me are two guests from the museum's Audience Engagement team: An van Hertum and Bart van Peer.What is Radio Bart? Radio Bart is a groundbreaking programme where visitors engage in conversations about art with blind mediators. A mobile studio moves through the museum, inviting anyone to join the hosts for a chat in front of selected paintings. Through these dialogues, participants observe, describe, and reflect on the artwork, uncovering deeper meaning and fostering a unique experience.An and Bart share how Radio Bart started, how it works, and the profound effects it has on participants. They also discuss the training and skills provided to the mediators, ensuring meaningful interactions.Don't miss this episode as we delve into the transformative power of Radio Bart. Tune in and discover a whole new way to experience and connect with art. Enjoy!LinksDownload the Ultimate Thinking Routine ListSupport the ShowJoin the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookCurated newsletter by Claire BownVTMO Course - VTMO Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced Courses start in September, October and November 2023 respectively. Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp (KMSKA) https://kmska.be/enRadio Bart https://kmska.be/en/event/radio-bartRadio Bart email radiobart@kmska.be

In this week's episode we're exploring an innovative project at the National Civil War Centre in Newark developing creative writing skills through art and using thinking routines in really innovative ways.The visual literacy Collect Connect Create project was developed to raise self-esteem, self-efficacy and motivation for year 10 pupils (14-15 year olds)  who had struggled with disrupted learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.The longer-term aim was that young people would develop the skills, knowledge and experience to raise their attainment in their English exams, having the confidence to write a “convincing and compelling” piece of fiction, using extensive and ambitious vocabulary and demonstrating the use of different language techniques.Denise explores the key features of the programme, how it worked for students and the collaboration they had with writer-in-residence, Ioney Smallhorne.. Then we focus on the thinking routines that they used in the programme and specifically the thinking routines that they created for it, such as Look List Lose and Shapescape. They also creatively adapted thinking routines that they had learned with me on my VTMO course. We talk about how the thinking routines offered tools to the students to assist them with their writing, how they helped them learn how to look as well as write, how they gave them a framework for organising their thinking and were a launchpad to writing. If you’re interested or curious about incorporating thinking routines into an educational programme at your museum or using art as a prompt for creative writing, then this episode is for you. If you’re interested in creating your own thinking routines, listen in too!LinksDownload the Ultimate Thinking Routine ListSupport the ShowJoin the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookCurated newsletter by Claire BownCollect Connect Create Project Resources https://www.maxliteracy.org/case-studies/newark-museum/ Pocket Prompts PDF can be found in the Lesson 1 folder. Denise Greany on LinkedInSarah Clarke on LinkedInIoney Smallhorne website

So following on from last week's episode, talking about the benefits of some silence in your museum and gallery programmes. This week I'm sharing how to do it. A little bit of silence in your programmes can benefit both you as the facilitator and the audience by promoting reflection, active listening, observation, engagement, and flexibility.It contributes to a more meaningful and effective experience for all involved. So how can we create more opportunities for silence in our museum and gallery programmes? Here are 7 easy ways to make time and space for silence.Links30+ ways to look at art slowlyDownload my free Slow Art GuideDownload the Ultimate Thinking Routine ListSupport the ShowJoin the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookCurated newsletter by Claire BownEpisodes mentioned in today's show:Episode 25 3 Thinking Routines for Slow Looking and DrawingEpisode 29 How to Develop a Reflective PracticeEpisode 42 How to Read A GroupEpisode 44 The 4 Elements of a Great IntroductionEpisode 49 Inspiring Creative Writing Through Art with Mary Hall SurfaceEpisode 61 How mindfulness and drawing can help us to connect with artEpisode 66 7 Ways to Improve your Active Listening Skills

You’ve probably heard the phrase ‘silence is golden’ before. This proverb suggests that staying quiet or not speaking can be beneficial in certain situations. How is silence a superpower that we can leverage to our advantage in the design and facilitation of our museum and gallery programmes?Today I’m talking about why silence matters and I'm going to share some insights into why we should be harnessing this superpower to enhance our programmes.But I’m also going to explore the flip-side - why some people feel uncomfortable around silence and how you can overcome this discomfort. Then I’m exploring 8 reasons why silence is beneficial for both you as a facilitator and for your participants. PS This is part 1 of a two-part series on silence. Next week I'll be exploring how you can add more silence into your programmes.LinksDownload my free Slow Art GuideDownload the Ultimate Thinking Routine ListSupport the ShowJoin the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookDownload the NEW resource - how to look at art (slowly)Curated newsletter by Claire BownEpisode 93 Slow Art and the Power of Slowing Down with Carl HonoréEpisode 94 Exploring Slow Art Day and Slow Looking with Phyl TerryEpisode 29 How to Develop a Reflective Practice

Episode 94 of the Art Engager features another special guest, Phyl Terry, Founder of Slow Art Day. Slow Art Day is an annual event that encourages participants worldwide to look at and discuss art slowly. To date, over 1,500 museums and galleries on every continent, including Antarctica's McMurdo Station, have participated in Slow Art Day.I first got in touch with Phyl back in 2013 when I heard about Slow Art Day. Today, we resume our conversation 10 years later about the importance of slowing down and spending more time with art. Phyl talks about how Slow Art Day originated and the hour long experience he had with a painting that started it all. We explore about how Slow Art Day has evolved over the years and some of the unique and memorable events that have taken place over that time.Phyl also talks about how organisations can participate in hosting their own Slow Art Day events or how individuals can participate even when there are no events near them. Phyl discusses the concept of "radical inclusivity" in Slow Art Day, which promotes the idea that anyone can engage with art without the need for prior artistic knowledge, through the act of looking slowly and reflecting. Finally, Phyl shares their thoughts on the future of Slow Art Day and how it might evolve as a movement in the coming years. The conversation is filled with insights and reflections on the importance of slowing down and spending more time with art. Don't miss this one!LinksEpisode Web Page (with transcript)Support the ShowDownload my free Slow Art GuideSlow Looking ClubSlowArtDay.comhttps://www.instagram.com/slowartday/https://www.facebook.com/SlowArtDaySlow Art Day 2022 Annual Report Episode 46 What is Slow Art Day

Today on the podcast, I'm delighted to be talking to bestselling author, broadcaster, two-time TED speaker and voice of the Slow Movement, Carl Honoré.In this episode, Carl Honoré, author of "In Praise of Slow," shares his insights on the benefits of slowing down in every aspect of life. Our conversation centres around the slow movement, and how slowness can 'rehumanise' us in a culture that values speed above everything else. We also discuss the slow art movement and how museums and other cultural institutions can be more welcoming for visitors who want to take a slower approach to art. Main talking points:Carl Honoré's book "In Praise of Slow" and the impact it had on society and the slow movementHow the slow movement is not just about slowing down for its own sake, but about reclaiming our humanity in a culture that treats us like machines.How the slow movement fits into the larger cultural conversation about resisting the pressures of a culture that values speed and productivity above all elseHow the pandemic has affected our relationship with time and speed, and whether it has led to a greater appreciation for slowness.How slow art can be an antidote to the fast-paced culture we live inHow museums are finding ways to create slow environments and programmes to invite people to engage deeply with art.How blockbuster exhibitions (such as the Vermeer exhibition in the Rijksmuseum)and wall labels can help or hinder us in the experience we might have in a museum.The importance of building the muscle to observe, contemplate, and look deeply at art, especially in childrenFour ways we can all incorporate the principles of slow more fully into our own livesLinksEpisode Web PageDownload my new Slow Art Guide Download the resource - how to look at art (slowly)Support the ShowJoin the Slow Looking Club Community on FacebookCarl Honoré's website: Useful links www.carlhonore.infoCarl Honoré on Social Media:YouTube ChannelInstagramTwitterLinkedInTED Talk 'In Praise of Slow'