PODCAST

Today I’m delighted to be talking to Marina Gross Hoy about how to look, and in particular, how to look at your daily life as if you were looking at a work of art.Marina Gross Hoy is a museum studies PhD candidate and a writer. Her doctoral research at the University of Quebec in Montreal… Read...

Many of us are experts in our field – possibly art historians, historians or archaeologists – and want to share that incredible knowledge with the groups we lead in our programmes. But sometimes having that knowledge can be a burden. It can weigh heavy on us. Knowing what information to share, when to share it… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

 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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

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… Read...

Slow looking is simply the art of learning through observation. I’ve been working in this way for the last 10+ years and can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone – both as an individual practice and as a way of working with and connecting your participants to art and objects.  But don’t just take my word… Read...

Have you been using the same thinking routines for a while now? Maybe you’ve got a few core routines that you’re comfortable with and now you’re looking for some new routines to add to your repertoire? I’m always looking for new ways to engage with our audiences and love trying out new routines in my… Read...

As we get older, we ask fewer questions. We wonder less. We are less curious.  We don’t lose the ability to be curious, we just don’t use or ‘exercise’ it as much. Further on in life people tend to expect answers rather than questions. Staying curious and wondering keeps your mind active and strong, makes… Read...