Class of 2005 Master's Project Abstracts
Melinda Adams
Optimizing Homeschoolers' Experiences in Museums Museums can and should be the ideal free-choice informal learning environment for the homeschool community. Current museum educational practices align closely with methodologies practiced by homeschoolers. Yet, but often there is a disconnect between this community and the programs museum educators design to serve them. The crux of this disconnect is that the informal learning environment that museums aspire to is diminished, in fact, by the application of formal learning structures characteristic of that found in state-standard-driven public schools today. Hence the question underlying this project: how can museums and their programs, which have the potential to match the needs and learning styles of homeschoolers fulfill the needs of these informal learners? This project seeks to help sharpen museum educators' perceptions of the homeschool community, develop a greater understanding of their program needs, and explore the relationship between the homeschool community and museums. Interviews, surveys, and a site visit provide the foundation for the findings that include an examination of homeschooler needs, current museum programs, and spotlight exemplary programs designed for homeschooled children. Finally, this study provides guidelines and recommendations to help create programs that serve homeschooled children and to cultivate and sustain a lasting relationship with the homeschool community. Lisa Bruemmer
Visitor Friendly Security Guards in U.S. Art Museums Visitor-friendly security staff are vital in today's visitor-centered museums. Security staff are often the only people whom visitors come into contact with. As the "faces of the museum," it is important to ensure guards reflect the mission and goals of the institutions they protect. Many museums have been successful in creating a visitor-friendly guard through new job titles, job descriptions, uniforms, and training practices. The purpose of this master's project is to inform art museum professionals what it takes to create a visitor-friendly guard and more importantly, why this new type of outlook on security is needed. I assess the state of security in United States art museums, include results of surveys and interviews with key museum staff, and make recommendations for improving upon the current state of museum security. I anticipate the results of my project will be useful for museum professionals when considering implementing their own visitor-friendly security program. The end result of the project encompasses a panel session, which involves key players who were instrumental in creating their own models of visitor-friendly security staff. Jon William Deuel
Using Video as a Visitor Research Tool in Museums Using video as a data collection tool in museum visitor research and evaluation can open new realms into understanding the visitor experience. Researchers actively addressing difficult questions that require close analysis of nuanced visitor behaviors can be well-served using video to collect, document, observe, and analyze visitors " or more accurately " visitor behaviors in museums. This project emphasizes behaviors because these are the outward manifestations of the visitor experience and it is this behavioral evidence that can be studied by researchers. This project highlights several historically significant visitor studies in museums and explains the differences between visitor research and evaluation, including the different types of evaluation studies. The Findings section includes a discussion about the advantages of using video for museum visitor research, as well as exhibition and program evaluation. Also, the technological advantages afforded by digital video (DV) are presented. Practical issues such as the set-up of video equipment and ways to attain visitor consent to be studied are illustrated. Finally, this project advocates for the increased use of video as a data collection tool by presenting several recommendations to museum visitor studies professionals interested in using video in their work. Gina Diaz
On Modeling Civic Engagement: Case Studies of Culturally Specific Museums and Latino Constituencies The traditional concept of the museum " static, authoritarian, collection warehouse " is changing. Culturally specific museums have been regarded as models for museums to emulate in their role as civic institutions. Created for the direct benefit of groups historically marginalized from the mainstream, community-based and ethnic museums have deep community connections. But what are the most useful lessons these unique organizations can provide to the museum field? This project investigates the contemporary role of ethnic museums. The increased participation of Latino constituencies through public programs at two different museums provides a case study for this investigation. Overviews of the history and development of culturally specific museums; discussions of diversity and community engagement in the museum field; and Latino demographics and identities in the U.S. are provided to contextualize the analysis. The Findings section features case studies at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum and the Japanese American National Museum. By problematizing the tendency to search for civic engagement models that can be easily imitated, recommendations offer suggestions for museums seeking to become more relevant institutions in the communities they are a part of. This project emphasizes that communities are not monolithic and are ill-served by facile models of engagement. Lisa Granger
The Visitor Has Left the Building: Using Technology to Extend the Museum Experience Whether thousands of images of works of art, or an in-depth analysis of DNA, museums realize the vast depth and breadth of information they have far exceeds the amount of time most visitors have to spend in a single visit. Because of this, many museums are exploring the exciting possibilities of using technology during museum visits to lay the foundation to extend the experience beyond the constraints of the physical building. Still, while an increasing number of institutions seem able to find theoretical justification for such projects, there is a striking dearth of proof they are effective. This project provides a brief history of extended museum experiences and explores the rationales supporting them"including modern business concepts and relevant learning theory. In addition, it considers the implications of extending the museum experience beyond the physical environment of the museum into the virtual realm. The Findings section presents case studies of three extended museum experiences from different types of institutions and featuring different technologies. Finally, this project offers recommendations to help museums achieve their mission and meet the needs and expectations of their visitors through thoughtful design, implementation, and evaluation of technology-based museum extended experiences. Alex Hamilton
Children's Museums, Computer Technology and Developmentally Appropriate Practice This project explored current theories, opinions and practices surrounding the use of computer technology in early childhood exhibitions in order to help childrenšs museum professionals make more informed decisions about these tools in their own institutions. Specific questions driving the investigation included: How, why and to what extent are childrenšs museums using computer technology in their exhibitions? Do museum professionals feel these tools can be used to support developmentally appropriate practices in these environments? How? What constraints might inhibit childrenšs museums from using technology in developmentally appropriate ways? Seventy-eight out of the 215 ACM member museums participated in the investigation. The project found that among represented institutions, more than half currently made use of computer technology in exhibitions targeted to audiences under the age of seven. A smaller portion of the field questioned the developmental appropriateness of computer technology in early childhood than supported its use. Overall, childrenšs museums are using technology to attract older audiences but most extend these experiences to younger audiences as well. The ability to use technology in more developmentally appropriate ways is tied to an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices, on-site technical expertise and institutional control over the development of the technology. Rose Kelly
Visions From Outside: Creating Educational Programming Inspired by Exhibitionsof Outsider Art Outsider Art is made by people who have had little or no contact with the Mainstream art world. Outsider artists use everyday materials to express their often intense and very personal visions. Many Outsider artists begin to make art later in life, surprising themselves as much as their families and friends. This surge in creativity is often triggered by a life altering event such as a personal illness or death of a loved one. Their expressions are frequently narrative, portraying memories of important events in their communities or expressing religious beliefs. The purpose of this master's project is to identify ways that art museums are seeking to enhance the visitors' experience of Outsider Art through educational programming related to their exhibitions or collections of Outsider Art. After providing an historical context for Outsider Art and looking at the importance of education to the role of museums, this project identifies approaches that educators at art museums around the United States have taken in their programming. This project closely examines program related. Karen Kroslowitz
Socially Responsible Collecting from Spontaneous Memorials In the last twenty-five years, the emerging contemporary mourning ritual of spontaneous memorialization has inspired an American democratic design process for permanent memorials which often include history museums as crucial interpretive components. History curators and collections managers of those museums should anticipate the need to address and balance ongoing memorialization with historical interpretation according to community interest. Numerous museums pursued collecting and exhibiting intact shrines or selected portions of those constructed en masse following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. But at the time, collecting staff perceived several acquisition obstacles that contradicted personal morals and professional ethics. The primary purposes of this project were to understand the balance between memory and history in the museum, to understand the social functions of spontaneous memorials, and to examine the hurdles and opportunities of "crisis collecting." This project was intended to raise awareness that spontaneous memorial collecting and exhibiting are opportunities for history museums to address memorialization rather than rushing to historicize, and to engage community leaders as members of advisory boards. Recommendations for future collecting efforts are offered based on case studies of collections developed post-9/11, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Glen T. Meyers
Documenting Special Exhibitions Using New Technologies Special exhibitions have become more complex as they utilize a variety of interpretive methods, multimedia formats, and designed experiences for the visitor. Besides the significant historical context created by these exhibitions, there are intellectual resources such as research and content that can be repurposed in websites, programming, and marketing after the exhibition closes. This project argues that many of today's exhibitions cannot be adequately documented by traditional archiving practices and that a new model of documenting is needed to capture these elements. Current practices of exhibit documenting are illuminated through surveys and interviews with museum professionals across the U.S. An examination of past documenting practices and an exploration of current digital technologies suggest new approaches for exhibit documentation. The Findings section outlines a dynamic documenting system that can accommodate the variety of information sources and offer repurposing capabilities, employing a balanced approach that utilizes the best qualities of paper-based and digital information. A range of recommendations will guide museums toward more effective exhibit documentation rom practical steps to broad organizational policy. A Criteria Guide for Documenting Exhibition Resources is offered as a tool to help museum staff begin the process of determining what and how resources should be documented. Lynne Phillips
Historic Ships and Access for People with Disabilities In order to bring the historic ship experience to people with all abilities, this project looks at the laws governing preservation and the rights of people with disabilities. The challenge this project addresses is that of how people who are not able to board or move around freely on a ship can participate in the historic ship experience. It covers a history of historic preservation in the United States, a history of the disability rights movement, and an overview of what historic houses have done to allow access. Finally, it shows what historic ships can apply to their museums, both in learning from historic houses and from each other. This includes alternative programming, acceptable modifications to the ship, utilization of alternative spaces, compilation of traveling and educational collections, and creation of accessible replicas and models. Historic ship museums can implement these alternatives to being on board that will still engender the same or similar feeling of "being there" that visiting a historic place gives. Shelly Ryan
Promoting Environmental Stewardship Through Exhibitions: The Challenges of Representing Global Warming in Science Museums This master's project examines how medium to large science museums in the United States and Canada are creating socially responsible programming, especially exhibitions, on timely issues specific to environmental degradation, using global warming as a case study. The paper demonstrates that there is a growing need for such institutions to not only present material on the subject, but to act as advocates for corrective action. The project brings to light the challenges inherent in exhibiting global warming and other contentious issues, and the creative ways such difficulties have been addressed by various types of science museums. This paper particularly describes exhibition techniques which reviewed museums found to be successful in imparting motivational conservation messages to their visitors. Also addressed are the invaluable tools of visitor evaluations and learning theories to inform the various stages of the exhibition process. A visitor survey done at four California science museums provides an example of the public's perception of global warming and their desire to see related material in science museums. Partnering between museums and with major environmental organizations is shown to be effective in bringing climate change information to the public, and inspiring and equipping them to make a difference. Maia Werner-Avidon
Strengthening Scientific Literacy Through Laboratory Exhibits Growing concerns over the state of scientific literacy in the United States have prompted many science museums to develop exhibits with the explicit goal of engaging visitors in the scientific process. Laboratory exhibits"where visitors can use scientific tools, conduct experiments, and role-play as scientists"are one exhibit type being developed in pursuit of this goal. But how effective are these exhibits and how can they best be designed to engage visitors in the scientific process? This project explores the theoretical underpinnings of laboratory exhibits, illuminates many of the issues to consider when developing a laboratory exhibit and examines the factors that make a laboratory exhibit successful. The Findings section focuses on four different laboratory exhibit formats"wet labs, labs embedded in the context of a story, labs designed for frequent change, and open-ended exploration labs"and identifies the unique features and challenges of each of these formats. The Recommendations section provides recommendations for both exhibit developers interested in developing laboratory exhibits and evaluators seeking to determine the effectives of these exhibits. Crissa Van Vleck Williams
Art Museum Eateries: Integrating the Dining Experience with the Museum Experience Cited in "Where art tastes great" by Farhad Heydari of Forbes Traveler. Click here to view article. Starting in the 1990s art museum food service venues began evolving into providers of cuisine that is as good, if not better, than cuisine in community eateries. This master's project explores the connection between art museums in the United States and their foodservice venues. It also provides insight into perspectives from the museum world and restaurant world and considers ways the two thought processes can converge. The purpose is to ascertain if eating establishments can incorporate features that reinforce the museum experience. The background section includes a history of eateries in the United States and of art museum eateries in America. The findings offer a broad view of art museum food service venues. They are drawn from a survey of art museum food service venues, interviews and site visits to the eateries at the J. Paul Getty Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Modern Art and Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Additionally, this project offers recommendations on how museums eateries can become a more integral part of the museum experience.
Optimizing Homeschoolers' Experiences in Museums Museums can and should be the ideal free-choice informal learning environment for the homeschool community. Current museum educational practices align closely with methodologies practiced by homeschoolers. Yet, but often there is a disconnect between this community and the programs museum educators design to serve them. The crux of this disconnect is that the informal learning environment that museums aspire to is diminished, in fact, by the application of formal learning structures characteristic of that found in state-standard-driven public schools today. Hence the question underlying this project: how can museums and their programs, which have the potential to match the needs and learning styles of homeschoolers fulfill the needs of these informal learners? This project seeks to help sharpen museum educators' perceptions of the homeschool community, develop a greater understanding of their program needs, and explore the relationship between the homeschool community and museums. Interviews, surveys, and a site visit provide the foundation for the findings that include an examination of homeschooler needs, current museum programs, and spotlight exemplary programs designed for homeschooled children. Finally, this study provides guidelines and recommendations to help create programs that serve homeschooled children and to cultivate and sustain a lasting relationship with the homeschool community. Lisa Bruemmer
Visitor Friendly Security Guards in U.S. Art Museums Visitor-friendly security staff are vital in today's visitor-centered museums. Security staff are often the only people whom visitors come into contact with. As the "faces of the museum," it is important to ensure guards reflect the mission and goals of the institutions they protect. Many museums have been successful in creating a visitor-friendly guard through new job titles, job descriptions, uniforms, and training practices. The purpose of this master's project is to inform art museum professionals what it takes to create a visitor-friendly guard and more importantly, why this new type of outlook on security is needed. I assess the state of security in United States art museums, include results of surveys and interviews with key museum staff, and make recommendations for improving upon the current state of museum security. I anticipate the results of my project will be useful for museum professionals when considering implementing their own visitor-friendly security program. The end result of the project encompasses a panel session, which involves key players who were instrumental in creating their own models of visitor-friendly security staff. Jon William Deuel
Using Video as a Visitor Research Tool in Museums Using video as a data collection tool in museum visitor research and evaluation can open new realms into understanding the visitor experience. Researchers actively addressing difficult questions that require close analysis of nuanced visitor behaviors can be well-served using video to collect, document, observe, and analyze visitors " or more accurately " visitor behaviors in museums. This project emphasizes behaviors because these are the outward manifestations of the visitor experience and it is this behavioral evidence that can be studied by researchers. This project highlights several historically significant visitor studies in museums and explains the differences between visitor research and evaluation, including the different types of evaluation studies. The Findings section includes a discussion about the advantages of using video for museum visitor research, as well as exhibition and program evaluation. Also, the technological advantages afforded by digital video (DV) are presented. Practical issues such as the set-up of video equipment and ways to attain visitor consent to be studied are illustrated. Finally, this project advocates for the increased use of video as a data collection tool by presenting several recommendations to museum visitor studies professionals interested in using video in their work. Gina Diaz
On Modeling Civic Engagement: Case Studies of Culturally Specific Museums and Latino Constituencies The traditional concept of the museum " static, authoritarian, collection warehouse " is changing. Culturally specific museums have been regarded as models for museums to emulate in their role as civic institutions. Created for the direct benefit of groups historically marginalized from the mainstream, community-based and ethnic museums have deep community connections. But what are the most useful lessons these unique organizations can provide to the museum field? This project investigates the contemporary role of ethnic museums. The increased participation of Latino constituencies through public programs at two different museums provides a case study for this investigation. Overviews of the history and development of culturally specific museums; discussions of diversity and community engagement in the museum field; and Latino demographics and identities in the U.S. are provided to contextualize the analysis. The Findings section features case studies at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum and the Japanese American National Museum. By problematizing the tendency to search for civic engagement models that can be easily imitated, recommendations offer suggestions for museums seeking to become more relevant institutions in the communities they are a part of. This project emphasizes that communities are not monolithic and are ill-served by facile models of engagement. Lisa Granger
The Visitor Has Left the Building: Using Technology to Extend the Museum Experience Whether thousands of images of works of art, or an in-depth analysis of DNA, museums realize the vast depth and breadth of information they have far exceeds the amount of time most visitors have to spend in a single visit. Because of this, many museums are exploring the exciting possibilities of using technology during museum visits to lay the foundation to extend the experience beyond the constraints of the physical building. Still, while an increasing number of institutions seem able to find theoretical justification for such projects, there is a striking dearth of proof they are effective. This project provides a brief history of extended museum experiences and explores the rationales supporting them"including modern business concepts and relevant learning theory. In addition, it considers the implications of extending the museum experience beyond the physical environment of the museum into the virtual realm. The Findings section presents case studies of three extended museum experiences from different types of institutions and featuring different technologies. Finally, this project offers recommendations to help museums achieve their mission and meet the needs and expectations of their visitors through thoughtful design, implementation, and evaluation of technology-based museum extended experiences. Alex Hamilton
Children's Museums, Computer Technology and Developmentally Appropriate Practice This project explored current theories, opinions and practices surrounding the use of computer technology in early childhood exhibitions in order to help childrenšs museum professionals make more informed decisions about these tools in their own institutions. Specific questions driving the investigation included: How, why and to what extent are childrenšs museums using computer technology in their exhibitions? Do museum professionals feel these tools can be used to support developmentally appropriate practices in these environments? How? What constraints might inhibit childrenšs museums from using technology in developmentally appropriate ways? Seventy-eight out of the 215 ACM member museums participated in the investigation. The project found that among represented institutions, more than half currently made use of computer technology in exhibitions targeted to audiences under the age of seven. A smaller portion of the field questioned the developmental appropriateness of computer technology in early childhood than supported its use. Overall, childrenšs museums are using technology to attract older audiences but most extend these experiences to younger audiences as well. The ability to use technology in more developmentally appropriate ways is tied to an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices, on-site technical expertise and institutional control over the development of the technology. Rose Kelly
Visions From Outside: Creating Educational Programming Inspired by Exhibitionsof Outsider Art Outsider Art is made by people who have had little or no contact with the Mainstream art world. Outsider artists use everyday materials to express their often intense and very personal visions. Many Outsider artists begin to make art later in life, surprising themselves as much as their families and friends. This surge in creativity is often triggered by a life altering event such as a personal illness or death of a loved one. Their expressions are frequently narrative, portraying memories of important events in their communities or expressing religious beliefs. The purpose of this master's project is to identify ways that art museums are seeking to enhance the visitors' experience of Outsider Art through educational programming related to their exhibitions or collections of Outsider Art. After providing an historical context for Outsider Art and looking at the importance of education to the role of museums, this project identifies approaches that educators at art museums around the United States have taken in their programming. This project closely examines program related. Karen Kroslowitz
Socially Responsible Collecting from Spontaneous Memorials In the last twenty-five years, the emerging contemporary mourning ritual of spontaneous memorialization has inspired an American democratic design process for permanent memorials which often include history museums as crucial interpretive components. History curators and collections managers of those museums should anticipate the need to address and balance ongoing memorialization with historical interpretation according to community interest. Numerous museums pursued collecting and exhibiting intact shrines or selected portions of those constructed en masse following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. But at the time, collecting staff perceived several acquisition obstacles that contradicted personal morals and professional ethics. The primary purposes of this project were to understand the balance between memory and history in the museum, to understand the social functions of spontaneous memorials, and to examine the hurdles and opportunities of "crisis collecting." This project was intended to raise awareness that spontaneous memorial collecting and exhibiting are opportunities for history museums to address memorialization rather than rushing to historicize, and to engage community leaders as members of advisory boards. Recommendations for future collecting efforts are offered based on case studies of collections developed post-9/11, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Glen T. Meyers
Documenting Special Exhibitions Using New Technologies Special exhibitions have become more complex as they utilize a variety of interpretive methods, multimedia formats, and designed experiences for the visitor. Besides the significant historical context created by these exhibitions, there are intellectual resources such as research and content that can be repurposed in websites, programming, and marketing after the exhibition closes. This project argues that many of today's exhibitions cannot be adequately documented by traditional archiving practices and that a new model of documenting is needed to capture these elements. Current practices of exhibit documenting are illuminated through surveys and interviews with museum professionals across the U.S. An examination of past documenting practices and an exploration of current digital technologies suggest new approaches for exhibit documentation. The Findings section outlines a dynamic documenting system that can accommodate the variety of information sources and offer repurposing capabilities, employing a balanced approach that utilizes the best qualities of paper-based and digital information. A range of recommendations will guide museums toward more effective exhibit documentation rom practical steps to broad organizational policy. A Criteria Guide for Documenting Exhibition Resources is offered as a tool to help museum staff begin the process of determining what and how resources should be documented. Lynne Phillips
Historic Ships and Access for People with Disabilities In order to bring the historic ship experience to people with all abilities, this project looks at the laws governing preservation and the rights of people with disabilities. The challenge this project addresses is that of how people who are not able to board or move around freely on a ship can participate in the historic ship experience. It covers a history of historic preservation in the United States, a history of the disability rights movement, and an overview of what historic houses have done to allow access. Finally, it shows what historic ships can apply to their museums, both in learning from historic houses and from each other. This includes alternative programming, acceptable modifications to the ship, utilization of alternative spaces, compilation of traveling and educational collections, and creation of accessible replicas and models. Historic ship museums can implement these alternatives to being on board that will still engender the same or similar feeling of "being there" that visiting a historic place gives. Shelly Ryan
Promoting Environmental Stewardship Through Exhibitions: The Challenges of Representing Global Warming in Science Museums This master's project examines how medium to large science museums in the United States and Canada are creating socially responsible programming, especially exhibitions, on timely issues specific to environmental degradation, using global warming as a case study. The paper demonstrates that there is a growing need for such institutions to not only present material on the subject, but to act as advocates for corrective action. The project brings to light the challenges inherent in exhibiting global warming and other contentious issues, and the creative ways such difficulties have been addressed by various types of science museums. This paper particularly describes exhibition techniques which reviewed museums found to be successful in imparting motivational conservation messages to their visitors. Also addressed are the invaluable tools of visitor evaluations and learning theories to inform the various stages of the exhibition process. A visitor survey done at four California science museums provides an example of the public's perception of global warming and their desire to see related material in science museums. Partnering between museums and with major environmental organizations is shown to be effective in bringing climate change information to the public, and inspiring and equipping them to make a difference. Maia Werner-Avidon
Strengthening Scientific Literacy Through Laboratory Exhibits Growing concerns over the state of scientific literacy in the United States have prompted many science museums to develop exhibits with the explicit goal of engaging visitors in the scientific process. Laboratory exhibits"where visitors can use scientific tools, conduct experiments, and role-play as scientists"are one exhibit type being developed in pursuit of this goal. But how effective are these exhibits and how can they best be designed to engage visitors in the scientific process? This project explores the theoretical underpinnings of laboratory exhibits, illuminates many of the issues to consider when developing a laboratory exhibit and examines the factors that make a laboratory exhibit successful. The Findings section focuses on four different laboratory exhibit formats"wet labs, labs embedded in the context of a story, labs designed for frequent change, and open-ended exploration labs"and identifies the unique features and challenges of each of these formats. The Recommendations section provides recommendations for both exhibit developers interested in developing laboratory exhibits and evaluators seeking to determine the effectives of these exhibits. Crissa Van Vleck Williams
Art Museum Eateries: Integrating the Dining Experience with the Museum Experience Cited in "Where art tastes great" by Farhad Heydari of Forbes Traveler. Click here to view article. Starting in the 1990s art museum food service venues began evolving into providers of cuisine that is as good, if not better, than cuisine in community eateries. This master's project explores the connection between art museums in the United States and their foodservice venues. It also provides insight into perspectives from the museum world and restaurant world and considers ways the two thought processes can converge. The purpose is to ascertain if eating establishments can incorporate features that reinforce the museum experience. The background section includes a history of eateries in the United States and of art museum eateries in America. The findings offer a broad view of art museum food service venues. They are drawn from a survey of art museum food service venues, interviews and site visits to the eateries at the J. Paul Getty Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Modern Art and Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. Additionally, this project offers recommendations on how museums eateries can become a more integral part of the museum experience.