RESEARCH ON FAMILIES IN ART MUSEUMS

Two research studies were conducted within the FLING collaborative--the Motivation, Use, Value Study (MUV) and the Longitudinal Case Study (LCS). The Institute of Learning Innovation directed the MUV study and Audience Focus directed the LCS component.

The overarching research questions for the research project were:

  1. WHO are the families who visit interactive spaces in art museums and WHY do they visit them? (LCS and MUV)
  2. HOW do families use interactive spaces within art museums? (LCS and MUV)
  3. WHAT do parents perceive is valuable about interactive spaces in art museums and how do they perceive their families benefit from visiting them? (LCS and MUV)
  • How do families use dedicated interactive spaces within their overall art museum experiences? (LCS)
  • What is the perceived value for families of art museums with interactive spaces? (LCS)
  • For frequent visitors, how do the perceived benefits of art museums with interactive spaces intersect with and support core family values? (LCS)
The MUV study included face-to-face interviews and online questionnaires. The LCS used ethnographic techniques to observe six families at each museum for 18 months on six family outings (three to the art museum and three to other comparable institutions or locations), followed by post-visit interviews and pre- and post-study all-family meetings at the museums.

The results from this study provide insight into the learning expectations and outcomes for family-based galleries in art museums.


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