The Art Engager

• Slow looking, leadership and the neuroscience of perspective-taking

  In this episode of The Art Engager, I’m talking with Dr Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson, Executive Director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative and a visual neuroscientist whose work explores the intersection of art, perception and leadership.Zab’s research asks one key question: how does what we see guide our decisions, actions and behaviours? Her work combines neuroscience, visual perception and museum-based learning to show how what we see shapes how we think, communicate and lead.At Wharton, Zab leads sessions for business executives that bring slow looking and perspective taking together — helping leaders strengthen empathy and communication through shared experiences of looking at art.We talk about her journey from researching colour and form processing in the brain to designing slow art experiences that build leadership skills. You’ll hear why museums are ideal for practising perspective taking, what happens when groups spend an hour with a single artwork, and how slow looking in dialogue with others fosters deep learning and connection.We also discuss the neuroscience behind these practices, the ‘no pointing’ rule, and why words like ‘obviously’ can shut down conversation. This episode offers plenty to think about for anyone interested in how collective looking can enhance empathy, attention and leadership.The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown.✨ If you've enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Art Engager on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerOr pick up a copy of my book, The Art Engager, for step-by-step guidance on creating meaningful, interactive guided experiences https://www.theartengager.com/Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengagerEpisode Linkshttps://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/perspective-taking-brain-hack-can-help-make-better-decisions/Visual Marketing: A Practical Guide to the Science of Branding https://www.routledge.com/Visual-Marketing-A-Practical-Guide-to-the-Science-of-Branding--Retailing/Kahn-Johnson/p/book/9781032731322Dr Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-johnson-phd-a3160932/Wharton Neuroscience website:https://neuro.wharton.upenn.edu/

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• Ask Me Anything: Your Questions on Museum Engagement and Facilitation

  In today's solo episode, host Claire Bown celebrates the one-year anniversary of The Art Engager book with our first-ever Ask Me Anything format. She answers 10 practical questions from listeners about facilitating guided experiences in museums.From how long to let people look at artworks to building psychological safety with established groups, Claire tackles the real challenges educators and guides face every day. Does everyone have to talk to be actively engaged? How do you pull a group back when disengaged? What's a good way to redirect someone who's going on too long? When should you share the artist's perspective if the group's discussion is quite different? Resources mentioned in this episode:Book anniversary quick survey The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums (Claire's book)Episode 148: How to create active engagement on guided experiencesEpisode 142: Building Trust and Psychological Safety on guided experiencesThe 10 Questioning Practices (QPs) from The Art EngagerThe Thinking Museum® ApproachThe Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.As mentioned in the episode, share what's been most helpful from The Art Engager book and what you'd like to see next: Share your input here. https://clebown.typeform.com/to/l9e6mzN9

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• Exploring Poetry Through Museums and Visual Art with Tina Demirdjian

  In this episode of The Art Engager Claire Bown talks with Tina Demirdjian, a poet and educator who has spent over 30 years transforming how people connect with poetry and visual art.Tina is someone who in her own words 'changes people's minds' about poetry, about themselves and about their capacity for creative expression. Working primarily with second language learners and immigrant communities in Los Angeles she has developed unique approaches that use visual art as a gateway into poetry writing.The conversation explores why museums are 'sacred spaces' that support creativity, practical techniques for facilitating poetry writing in galleries and how to help people overcome their intimidation about writing. Listen to this episode if you want to:Learn practical techniques for poetry programming in museums, including spine poetry and found poetry using curator and wall textsDiscover why the museum environment uniquely supports creative confidence and expressionExplore how visual art can serve as a bridge to poetry for diverse audiencesUnderstand how to help visitors overcome intimidation about poetry and writingThis episode offers practical insights into poetry programming and how to create the 'ease' that helps everyone discover they have at least one powerful poem in them.The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon and find more resources at thinkingmuseum.com‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengagerThe Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerEpisode Links: Art inspires youth poetry at MOCA ARTful Conversations https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-demirdjian-a102488/https://www.instagram.com/poetinastudio/https://www.poetryconsults.com/museums-libraries

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• Belonging, Community and Co-curation at Manchester Museum with Ciaron Wilkinson

  In this episode of The Art Engager, Claire Bown talks with Ciaron Wilkinson, Head of Partnerships and Engagement at Manchester Museum — one of the UK’s largest university museums and recent winner of European Museum of the Year.After a values-led redevelopment, Manchester Museum has reimagined how a museum can engage with its community. Its mission is to be the most caring, imaginative, and inclusive museum people will ever visit - a place where everyone belongs. Ciaron shares how this vision has reshaped the museum’s spaces and ways of working: co-curating the South Asia Gallery with 30 community members over five years, celebrating faith and culture through the Manchester Museum Celebrates series, and opening the Top Floor hub, shared with 25 local organisations dedicated to social justice and climate action.This conversation offers practical insights into co-curation, community engagement, and the values-led decisions behind creating cultural spaces where everyone feels welcome.The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon and find more resources at thinkingmuseum.com‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengagerThe Art Engager book website: https://www.theartengager.com/Support the show with a simple monthly subscription on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheArtEngagerEpisode Links:Manchester Museum website Manchester Museum Instagram Article on European Museum of the Year Article on decolonisationNew York Times article following reopening

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• Taking the fear out of inquiry-based teaching in the museum

  In today's solo episode, host Claire Bown shares practical strategies for overcoming the most common fears about inquiry-based teaching in museums. From handling uncertainty and awkward silences to managing participation and time, she guides you through simple, actionable ways to build confidence and make inquiry feel rewarding- for you and your participants.Inquiry-based teaching works. It creates the kind of museum experiences where participants lean in, ask questions, and make personal connections with art and objects. But despite all these benefits, why do many people feel hesitant about giving it a go?We’ll explore common concerns - like losing control, time management, participation, or not having all the answers - and I’ll walk you through strategies to move past them.Here’s what I cover in today’s episode:Why understanding your own relationship with inquiry is the first stepHow to develop comfort with uncertainty and not knowingWhy it helps to start small and build confidence graduallyThe role of flexible structures (like Questioning Practices) in supporting inquiryPractical ways to manage time, participation, and group dynamicsBuilding your facilitation toolkit step by stepWhy practice and reflection are essential for growing your skillsHow to reframe “failure” as a valuable learning opportunityResources mentioned in this episode:The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums (my book)Episode 143: Uncertainty: Finding Wonder in Not Knowing with Maggie JacksonEpisode 137: How to Use the UniversalEpisode 142: Building Trust and Psychological Safety on Guided Experiences in MuseumsEpisodes 95 & 96: The Power of Silence in Guided ExperiencesEpisode 66: 7 Ways to Improve Your Active Listening SkillsEvery single episode of The Art Engager podcast webpage: https://thinkingmuseum.com/every-single-episode-of-the-art-engager-podcast/–––✨ If you’ve enjoyed this episode, please consider supporting The Art Engager on Patreon. Or pick up a copy of my book, The Art Engager, for step-by-step guidance on creating meaningful, interactive guided experiences.The Art Engager is written and presented by Claire Bown. Editing is by Matt Jacobs and Claire Bown. Music by Richard Bown. Support the show on Patreon.Show notes‘The Art Engager: Reimagining Guided Experiences in Museums‘ is now available worldwide through your favourite online platforms and retailers. Buy it here on Amazon.com: https://tinyurl.com/buytheartengagerThe Art Engager book website:

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