The Meadows Museum has so many great things to offer visitors, and as an intern in the education department I've been able to dip my hands into a lot of different programs. I think the most informal programs we continuously offer has to be Connections and Reconnections. These programs are for those who are experiencing different stages of Alzheimer's. Connections runs for three consecutive Saturdays four times a year. We start off with a small art activity while we chat and have coffee and pastries, then we head upstairs for a more in-depth activity in the galleries.
Throughout my internship I was able to attend one Connections event (hopefully I'll be able to come back and help out during the year). We brought in a musical therapist to aid in connecting to the works in the galleries. Even though it was really great to see everyone singing and making connections to the works, I will say that I think I enjoyed watching everyone talking while creating art from old post cards (some even had letters written on the back!).
Reconnections is a shorter (and even less formal) version of connections. We start off with coffee, pastries, and chats; then we head upstairs for a short activity, which is totally optional. Reconnections is a good way for everyone to stay in touch over the summer, so we really try not to pressure anyone.
I've been able to help out with two of the Reconnections events and I have not noticed a difference in the level of enthusiasm between Reconnections and Connections. Everyone is so lively!
Being that both of these programs are informal the schedule sometimes completely gets tossed out the door. Which gives room for participants to wander the galleries if they see a work that really peaks their interest, or to stay and chat a little longer, or to stay after all of the activities and take a tour with a docent. I've been finding myself really inspired by those who create their own schedule in order to investigate a specific work.
The more time I spend here, the more I feel like part of the family, and the more I don't want to leave!
I am really interested in the community-building aspect of these Connections/Reconnections programs you're talking about! I think one of the most difficult parts about most museum programs/museum ed practices is that the drop-in, one-off nature of most museum visitor interactions can make it very difficult to build lasting connections with people. This is one area where classroom art education has an edge on museum ed: classroom teachers have the luxury of time when getting to know their students. I love it when museums are able to provide programming that encourages not only repeat visitorship, but relationship building.
ReplyDeleteFrom what you write, it seems that not only are Connections participants able to build comfort with museum staff, they are able to build relationships/friendships/comfort with their fellow participants. I'm sure that must be such a positive thing for the people in those groups - Alzheimer's disease can be such an isolating experience, for both caretakers and patients. It must feel so good to be able to go and spend time in a museum where safety and trust have already been built.
I really see this as a common thread between many of our posts this summer - how in order to be educators, we first need to build trusting relationships with coworkers, visitors, everyone! We have to make ourselves vulnerable in order to enable honest and fulfilling arts experiences and learning. Maybe the most honest way to teach is to break down the barriers that we instinctively put up between knowledge-giver and knowledge-receiver and instead engage in an equal, compassionate exchange of ideas.
I really hope you get to visit some more during the coming year and continue those positive experiences!
I think museums are becoming more and more open to the drop-in, at your own pace, and personal route program than the hard and fast we will do this and that at this and that such time programming. We are becoming the poster child for them because we have had such great success in structuring programs this way (our Storytime program attendance jumped 11% from last year), in particular ones that happen on a regular schedule of some kind. Since patrons are returning for each program we are able to build relationships with patrons and their families. Plus there is a comfort level for patrons because they already have an idea of what to expect, but know something different will be offered each program.
ReplyDeleteAlli makes a great point of knowledge-giver and knowledge-receiver: as educators in museums providing an experience in which patrons can move at their own pace and providing tools in which they can learn at their level is a formula more and more museums are gravitating to.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's posts and comments! Can't wait to discuss more in class!
Dang! I wrote my response and then somehow deleted it! Let's try this again.... :)
ReplyDeleteI am delighted that you are feeling like family at the Meadows! That is wonderful. I still keep in touch with many of my former internship supervisors from various places and they continue to feel like family... so hold onto those relationships that mean something to you!
I just saw a posting on The Global Museum website for someone to focus on creating programs for people with memory impairment. Solely! I've pasted the posting below but this really seems to be indicative of the larger trend we are seeing in museums to provide programming for this growing population. I think I read a statistic the other day that the number of people with Alzheimer's will grow by 40% in 2025.... wowsers. That is a dramatic increase and I am glad/proud that museums are planning for this demographic in the ways that you've described at the Meadows.
Help Build Museum Program for Visitors with Memory Loss Lansing, MI
Michigan Historical Center
Applications Contact Person: Christiana Hanson
Email: hansonc@michigan.gov
Application Due Date: 2015/08/03
Help build Museum Program for Visitors with Memory Loss The Michigan Historical Museum is seeking a candidate to work with its public program series 'Mind Matters,' designed for visitors diagnosed with memory loss. They will deliver on-site programs as well as create partnerships with organizations that care for these museum visitors and with organizations that support individual family members and caregivers for these visitors.
Goals and activities include:
Working independently to develop relationships with organizations that work with those diagnosed with Alzheimer's or memory loss; adding to list of Mind Matters memory care sites; creating new marketing and promotional materials to be distributed to memory care sites as well as to individual caregivers; distribute and deliver materials to care sites and support organizations for individual caregivers; meeting with memory care sites and organizations to promote program attendance; meet with local Alzheimer's and memory care special interest groups to develop local partnerships for the museum and promote program series; schedule on-site programs in coordinator with museum staff; conduct on-site programs with museum staff; develop additional program for this target museum audience.
Qualifications:
Desire to work with those diagnosed with Alzheimer's or memory loss; excellent verbal and written communication skills; initiative; ability to work independently.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience in developing partnerships; experience working with families of and/or caregivers to those diagnosed with Alzheimer's or memory loss; experience with those diagnosed with Alzheimer's or memory loss; experience in marketing and networking.
Candidate will be paid on a contract basis at the rate of $15/hour. To apply, send cover letter, resume and list of references to: hansonc@michigan.gov. You may also send bring or mail these materials to the Museum at: 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48915, Attn: Christiana Hanson. Please include in your cover letter why you are interested in working with these museum visitors. Applications and proposals will be reviewed when submitted.
For more information, call 517-241-6852 or email hansonc@michigan.gov.
Please quote Global Museum Jobs in your application. Posted July 23rd