3 live classes with Claire Bown + 3 video lessons + resources + private community

Your next step after VTMO Intermediate

VTMO ADVANCED COURSE CONTENT

The VTMO Courses

There are 3 VTMO courses (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced).

Each VTMO course is a combination of self-paced study and live classes designed and led by Claire Bown, founder of Thinking Museum. In each course, there are 3 live classes (2 hours), 3 recorded classes, resources and a private Slack community. 

For a detailed look at what each module will cover and the thinking routines we’ll explore, go to the relevant course page.

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FAQs

What does the VTMO Advanced course include?

The course includes 3 modules through which you will continue to learn how to confidently the Visible Thinking in the Museum approach. All course materials are in English and are available to stream online.

You’ll also receive downloadable PDFs and worksheets. The VTMO course book is Slow Looking at Art: The Visible Thinking in the Museum Approach. You will need to purchase a copy of the book for the VTMO courses.

Plus there’s access to a supportive online community for course students in which you’ll be able to ask any questions you have about the course and how to use the VTM method

Will I need any previous experience?

Yes. The standard route is to first take my VTMO Beginners and VTMO Intermediate courses.

In VTMO Beginners and Intermediate courses I teach the foundations and techniques of the method – which will stand you in good stead for the rest of the courses. We also work on building skills – our questioning skills, facilitation techniques and more. The work that we do in the first two courses paves the way for the work we do in the later Advanced courses. 

If you haven’t taken VTMO Beginners or VTMO Intermediate but have some experience with learning VTM with Claire Bown, please get in touch to see if you have the relevant experience to take the VTMO Advanced course. A similar path would be to have first taken my one day VTM in-person course at a museum as part of a team, for example, but do get in touch to chat first.

To participate in VTMO Advanced you will need to have been using VTM in your practice regularly. This is why practice throughout the programme is essential.

Do I need to start with VTMO Beginners? Can I join the VTMO course at the Intermediate or even Advanced level instead?

If you’ve never done a full VTM training* with me before, then you will need to start with the VTMO Beginners course – regardless of whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out. Even as an experienced educator, you’ll learn a lot!

It’s called ‘Beginners’ as it’s the first of 3 courses that take you through the elements of the VTM method. Therefore in VTMO Beginners you’ll explore 10 thinking routines which can form the basis of your repertoire, dive into your questioning skills and learn how to facilitate discussions. It’s aimed at museum educators, guides, teachers, art educators and creatives who want to learn new methods to engage audiences with art and objects.

Just FYI, VTMO was originally designed as one course, but individual educators were asking me for shorter courses which cost less, which is why I split it up into 3 parts for individuals – Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Teams can still book the entire programme as one course.

*To register for my VTMO Intermediate and Advanced courses, you need to have first completed either the VTMO Beginners Course or a similar VTM course with me, Claire Bown e.g a full day in-person course with me. 

Who is the course suitable for?

• individuals who would like to continue to learn how to lead interactive tours & programmes about art and museum objects. (e.g. museum guides & educators, teachers, creatives & learning practitioners). If you’re an organisation, please get in touch to enquire about VTMO for Teams

How long will it take to complete the course?

The course is 3 modules long. In total, the course takes 3 weeks with a commitment of 1-3 hours per week outside of the classes. There is a different module every week and a live class. The video lessons are 20-30 mins long and the live class is 120 mins. Every live class is also recorded if you can’t attend live.

How much does VTMO cost?

The course costs €495,- including VAT.

What are the dates for 2023?

The next VTMO Advanced course will start on Tuesday 24 October and end on 12 November 2023

Live Classes will take place on Tuesday 24, 31 October and 07 November at 17.00 hrs CET (Amsterdam). For 2024 dates, watch this space or get in touch.

When do the live classes take place?

The live classes take place at 17.00 hrs Central European Time or CET (Amsterdam) on Tuesdays You’ll get the most out of the classes by attending live (and learning collaboratively with the other course members) but if you miss them, you can catch up with the recording too. The recording is available within 24 hours of the live class.

Is the course ‘live’?

There is a live class scheduled for 120 mins per week for all 3 modules of the course. If you are unable to attend live, then you can watch the recording (although we do recommend you attend live to get the most benefit from asking questions). The video modules and all resources will be available for you to work through at your own pace and when it is most suitable for you.

How long do the video lessons last?

They are usually 20-30 minutes in length. You receive one video lesson per week.

How long will I have access to the course?

You will have access to the course resources for a maximum of 3 months (subject to our terms and conditions), allowing you to work through it at your own pace and return to it as required. You may not modify, publish, transmit, participate in the transfer or sale of, create derivative works from, distribute, display, reproduce or perform, or in any way exploit in any format whatsoever any of the Site or Service Content or intellectual property, in whole or in part, without our prior written consent. 

What if I have questions whilst working through the course?

You will have access to an online community for all online course students where you can ask questions and get support and help.

How do I enrol on the course?

You can sign up on this page as soon as registration goes live. Get in touch to chat about any remaining questions you have.

What are the Terms and Conditions?

You can find all the Terms and Conditions here