The Museum Visit: It’s an Experience, Not a Lesson

Abstract

Museums offer visitors direct experiences—such as visual experiences—that are not available elsewhere in daily life. Learning through verbal information is part of it, yet the aesthetic experience is always outside of the “right-answer paradigm.” Cognitive development occurs when perceptions inform thinking, thoughts are expressed in language, and expressed thoughts invite reconsideration of the material at hand. Both science and art require the development of these skills. Science and art museum educators can and should advocate the value of looking, thinking, wondering about complexity, and discussing the results.

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• Linda Duke (LDuke@imamuseum.org) is director of education at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, Indiana.

10.1111/j.2151-6952.2010.00028.x About DOI