The Art Engager

Most of us think we’re good listeners. But are we really? What does it mean to be an active listener in an art discussion, guided tour or educational programme in the museum?  Listening is one of the most important skills in our toolbox. But few of us know how to really listen. It's just not something we're taught. It requires both time and practise to develop effective listening skills. And...

Today I’m so happy to be talking to Richa Mehta about her work. We’re talking about what a mindful museum is, museum-based art therapy and how art can support the development and exploration of identity and connection Richa Mehta is a certified art therapist and educator working as a museum education and wellness professional at the Louvre Abu Dhabi . Richa believes that the museum space can be mo...

I don’t really like big lists of ‘good’ or ‘great’ questions - for example, 50 questions to ask about art . These lists are OK for a quick source of inspiration or for a boost now and again, but it’s the list part that I don’t like - you’re not going to be carrying around a list with you in the museum.  Instead it’s much better to work on your questioning technique⁠ with exercises and experim...

 In an age where the average person checks their phone at least 85 times a day, our inundated brains are slowing down. ⁠ ⁠ We need to retrain ourselves to get better at sustained attention . And to learn to appreciate the benefits of it too.⁠ ⁠ Spending time slow looking offers refuge from the rush and time to slow down and see the details. It’s the opposite of scanning and scrolling. “ Alway...

When you get started with thinking routines, it’s worth getting to know a small handful of routines and using them repeatedly until you feel comfortable and confident using them.  But once you have that confidence, something magical starts to happen. And this is where we can be more creative with thinking routines.  Thinking routines are not rigid, inflexible structures. Unlike some prot...

Today I’m so happy to be talking to Karly Allen about her work. We’re talking about how mindfulness can help us to connect with and engage with art, how we can bring mindfulness practices to the experience of drawing.  Karly Allen is a UK-based gallery educator, drawing tutor and mindfulness teacher. She has worked for the National Gallery, London, over the past 20 years and has taught widely...

There is a famous quote by Alvin Toffler that goes: ‘“ The illiterate of the future are not those who can’t read or write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. ” As educators, you’re probably already quite enthusiastic about the learning part. Being a lifelong learner is something that is a part of us. We’re constantly learning new things and updating our knowledge. But learning is not...

In today’s solo episode, I’m talking about observation skills - why they are important and I’m sharing 9 thinking routines that you can use to boost your observation and description skills. As you’ll know from previous episodes, I’m really fascinated by observation and really interested in developing my skills in this area (I have LOADS of  books on this subject!) Most of the time we are obse...

Today I’m so happy to be talking to Mitch Bach about what makes a great guided experience and how you can create wow moments in your programmes. Mitch is one of those people you meet and instantly get on with. He’s warm, witty and whip-smart. We met in New York a few years ago and have been friends ever since. We share the same passions about making guided experiences interactive, participative, m...

It’s time for another bitesize episode - a short and snappy episode that will give you a quick win or something to think about in less than 10 mins. Today I’m talking about why endings are important and sharing with you a 3 part framework for planning your strong conclusion. If the introduction is setting the scene for what’s to come, then the conclusion is most definitely when you wrap everything...

In today’s solo episode, I’m talking about how we can use slow looking to learn to love objects that you might find 'boring' or uninspiring. We can’t possibly love everything in a museum’s collection. There are always going to be some objects or artworks that we are drawn to for some reason. Equally there will also be objects or artworks that leave us cold. Equally, every museum or art galler...

Today I’m delighted to be talking to educator, facilitator and newly published author Jess Vance about her work. We’re talking about how questions are her superpower and how we can cultivate the conditions for inquiry to thrive. Jess and I met on Instagram a while back when we were discussing the importance of the question ‘what makes you say that’. Since then we’ve chatted regularly and I’ve watc...

Today I’m sharing a 'picture of practice' from art facilitator and English teacher Elisa Mosele. We’re talking all how she uses thinking routines to overcome the fear of speaking a language and encourage all her students to participate. We also explore how she combines slow looking, church art and spirituality in her work as an art facilitator. Elisa Mosele is a English language teacher and an art...

Today I’m starting something new. I know we are all busy and sometimes it can be hard to find the time to listen to a full length podcast episode. So once a month I’ll be sharing a 'bite-sized' episode that will give you a quick win or something to think about in less than 10 mins.  Today I’m going to share a quick episode that will help you to start defining your personal facilitator style.&...

A willingness to continue growing and developing is at the heart of our practice as museum educators, teachers and guides. We are never ‘done’ with learning. There is always a strong desire to keep honing our craft. Personal development keeps us motivated and pushes us out of our comfort zone. It helps us to keep innovating, experimenting and being creative. But, what are the best ways that we can...

Way back in 2011, I discovered the magic of thinking routines and Visible Thinking whilst working at a museum in Amsterdam. It was at this point that I started developing a new approach for educators, what became Visible Thinking in the Museum or VTM for short. Visible Thinking in the Museum is an easy-to-follow method that allows educators like you to confidently design and lead engaging inquiry-...

Today on our 50th episode, I'm launching a new series of episodes all about 'pictures of practice'. I'm really interested is in finding out how other museum educators around the world engage their audiences with art and objects. What are some of the practices that are really important to them? How might they use thinking routines, or slow looking, questioning or facilitation? For our very first Pi...

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...

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 '...

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 202...

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. LINKS Episode Web Page The Slow Looking Club Support the Show Slow Art Day Annual 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 hel...

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...

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...

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 en...