Delivering Socially Engaged Programming: Tools, Methods, and Models

TOPIC

The thesis examines museums’ abilities to be essential and transformative forces in the lives of individuals and communities through socially engaged programming.

Outreach programming is the focus of this study.

Socially engaged outreach programming is defined here as on-site or off-site programing aiming to connect people to content at the level of their core motivations for attendance.

Programming achieves social impact when programming forms connections between the topic and the person in a way that is meaningful to the individual’s life, and/or transformative in the community.

METHODS

• Literature Review• Research of funding patterns and analysis of the implications• Three Case Studies of socially engaged programs:

• The Pacific Science Center’s Science on Wheels• The New York Tenement Museum’s Shared Journeys• The Hull Lifesaving Museum’s Maritime Apprentice Program

WHY THIS TOPIC IS IMPORTANT

It is essential for museums to engage with audiences in a meaningful way because:

(1) funding sources generally require a clearly defined service to the community,

(2) as nonprofits, museums are held in the public trust, and to maintain trust, museums must serve the varied audiences that comprise the public, and

(3) museums study topics which audiences must learn how to interact with, for the subjects are not necessarily covered in the K-12 system, and as such, museums must not only teach about the topic, but also build appreciation for the topic

LITERATURE REVIEW

Some reasons why museums have become audience centered:

Museum Education = Progressive Education = Access to All

Democratization

Funding

LITERATURE REVIEW

Funding/Program Relationship Total Programs Total FundersPercent of funders

funding locally  

Education That Engages   

98 60 56%

Engagement Through Funder Defined Methods or Concepts

  

49 26 80%

Engagement of Specific Audiences  

214 72 87%

Education that Engages and Engagement of Specific Audiences

 17 8 75%

Engagement through Funder Defined Methods or Concepts and Engagement of Specific Audiences

30 13 83%

Program Development   

160 63 79%

Operating   

32 10 100%

Table 3. Outreach Programming Funding Trends

CASE STUDY

The Pacific Science CenterScience on Wheels

Photo of the 2007 Science On Wheels FAQ document, http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/images/stories/pdf/sow-faq-051512.pdf, pulled 1/27/2013

CASE STUDY

The New York Tenement MuseumShared Journeys

http://www.tenement.org/shared_journeys.php

CASE STUDY

The Hull Lifesaving MuseumMaritime Apprentice Program

BEST PRACTICES

To define and engage audiences:1. Clearly define the audience served2. Fulfill audience’s core motivations for attendance3. Serve an audience otherwise un-served by museum exhibitions

To operate trusted programs:4. Operate with flexibility5. Provide a level of transparency6. Operate efficient program models7. Adhere to mission

To deliver content appropriately:8. Meet diverse learner needs9. Staff with specialists in the service delivered rather than the content delivered10. Act as a facilitator11. Engage audiences served when forming and changing program content

RECOMMENDATIONS

Measure Impact – to build individual programs and the field as a whole

Diversified Programming Requires Diversified and Creative Support

Understand and Celebrate the Audience’s Contribution

To Reach Multiple Audiences, Partner as a Facilitator

FINAL STATEMENTS

* To remain competitive and relevant, it is essential for museums to provide something unique, and social service programming through the lens of museum collections or content is indeed a unique offering.

* Museums are essential to our communities, for what other nonprofits are using collections, deep study, and physical evidence to fulfill audience needs?

* Our roots and our new knowledge should be made accessible to all people, and all people should be taught how to utilize the information to shape their future and the future of their communities.

* Museums are charged not only with preserving our cultural heritage, but also connecting people to deeper meanings, both for themselves personally, and for their communities at large.

* A field that preserves the important information of humankind, that builds community, empowers audiences, and transforms individuals is more than “relevant” – it is essential to developing empowered individuals and thriving communities.