The Art Engager

Today I’m starting something new.

I know we are all busy and sometimes it can be hard to find the time to listen to a full length podcast episode.

So once a month I’ll be sharing a 'bite-sized' episo…

A willingness to continue growing and developing is at the heart of our practice as museum educators, teachers and guides.

We are never ‘done’ with learning. There is always a strong desire to keep h…

Way back in 2011, I discovered the magic of thinking routines and Visible Thinking whilst working at a museum in Amsterdam.

It was at this point that I started developing a new approach for educator…

Today on our 50th episode, I'm launching a new series of episodes all about 'pictures of practice'. I'm really interested is in finding out how other museum educators around the world engage their au…

Today I’m delighted to be talking to playwright, theatre director, teaching artist and museum educator Mary Hall Surface about her work. We’re talking all things creative and reflective writing throu…

I’m back with a new episode today all about my favourite subject .

I'm talking about 'bad' questions, and specifically, 10 types of questions you should never ask (or at least try to avoid!).

Good ques…

As you may or may not know, I’ve recently had Covid (and you can probably hear it in my voice) I’m taking some time to recover. 

So as we’re approaching 50 episodes, I thought I would take the time to…

Slow Art Day is an international event celebrating looking at art in a different way. This year Slow Art Day is taking place on Saturday 2 April 2022 in over 160 venues around the world (and counting…

You may remember Samantha Boffin as she was my first guest on the show (Episode 21) and now she is the first guest to come back for a second episode. Besides being a voiceover artist, Sam is also an …

A good introduction is essential to foster a great group dynamic.

An introduction is crucial on any type of programme - whether you’re leading a guided tour, an educational programme, a 15 minute in-…

In the light of recent world events and the troubled times we live in, in today’s episode I’m going to share some thoughts about facilitating meaningful discussions with artworks and objects around s…

What does it mean to 'read a group'?

It's the ability to understand the mood in the room and how receptive people are. 

When you’re working with groups in the museum or online, it’s extremely helpful …

Slow looking is simply the art of learning through observation. I’ve been working in this way for the last 10+ years and can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone - both as an individual practice and…

Have you been using the same thinking routines for a while now?

Maybe you’ve got a few core routines that you’re comfortable with and now you’re looking for some new routines to add to your repertoir…

As we get older, we ask fewer questions. We wonder less. We are less curious. 

We don’t lose the ability to be curious, we just don’t use or ‘exercise’ it as much. Further on in life people tend to ex…

So in today’s episode is the first of 2 episodes devoted to a subject close to my heart: curiosity.

This week I'll be exploring what curiosity is and sharing 3 key ways you can provoke curiosity and …

This week on the podcast: I’m delighted to be talking to Yaël van Loosbroek - Speck about art and mental health

Yaël believes, like me, that everyone can engage with art, and that it all starts with l…

The ability to ask powerful, relevant and incisive questions is one of the most useful skills you can have. 

With a good questioning technique you can instantly engage people, provoke their curiosity,…

Today we’re exploring 9 different ways that looking at art can make you a better writer. 

Throughout the ages, looking at art has been a unique way of finding inspiration and creativity. If you go as …

For our last episode of the year, I'm sharing 3 slow looking activities for over the holidays. 

It’s a busy time of year and we’re all rushed off our feet. There’s also still a huge amount of uncertai…