Creating Questions that are Audience Appropriate

Know your audience

Be prepared

Avoid surprises

Have a great tour

Working with Students

Kinder to 2nd Grade• Storytime tour designed

to introduce art through beloved children’s literature

• Special tour for this age group and optional training to be able to work with this group

• Focus on elements of art and narrative paintings

3rd-5th Grades• Make this trip special and exciting for them. May be their

first museum visit.• Want to explore, discover, and learn. Let them make their

own discoveries. Let them read a wall label, show them how to do that.

• Like narratives, materials, process. Bring in things for them to touch.

• Work from a theme. Let them know what the theme is.• Interested in why, how things were made; how long it took to

make something.• Compare/contrast.• More aware of reality. More aware of popular culture.

What do they like?

Narrative Heroes, good triumphs over evil

Some ideas for Questions• Let’s look at this lady’s

dress. How do you think the fabric would feel? [fabric sample for them to touch]

• What do you think this lady is thinking? If you could give her a word bubble, what would she say?

• Describe her dog. Do you have a pet? How is this dog like your dog? Different?

• Let’s go look at another painting with a dog…

Tiepolo’s The Storyteller, mid- 1770s

• Who has found the dog in this painting?

• How is this dog different from the dog we saw earlier?

• Tell me about this painting. What is happening here?

Are there topics to avoid?

The Blanton’s policy is not to show works of art with violence or nudity to school groups under 12 years old. The Blanton Education Department will alert docents of works of art that are off limits for

all K-12 groups.

If in doubt, ask Stephanie.

Why is that baby naked?• Read “The Naked

Truth” by Marla Shoemaker in your docent notebook.

• Talk “big picture”• Explore and know your

own comfort level with nudity. If you are nervous, your group will recognize that.

• When in doubt, ask Stephanie.

Middle School and High School

• You will hear more negative stories about this age group than any other.

• You need to go into tours with this age group with an open mind. Each tour is different!

• Embrace the opportunity to empower young adults and build their confidence and interest.

Beloit College’s Mindset List-Class of 2010

• The Soviet Union has never existed and therefore is about as scary as the student union.

• They have known only two presidents.

• There has always been only one Germany.

• They have always been able to watch wars and revolutions live on television.

• They have grown up getting lost in "big boxes.”

• Smoking has never been permitted on U.S. airlines.

• "Google" has always been a verb.

• Bad behavior has always been captured on amateur videos.

• Text messaging is their email.

Tips for Teens• Approach them as adults, treat them with respect;

they will return the goodwill.• Let them discuss their interests, knowledge; give

them an opportunity to express their ideas.• Don’t try to be “cool.” They will figure you out.• Let them select some of the objects– open space• Find themes that reflect their interests- fashion,

relationships, feelings, popular culture, music.• They like things to argue about or to take a different

viewpoint. Find something they may not like– that will get them talking.

• Be relaxed & friendly, smile; don’t be afraid to laugh. Have a good time.

Some ideas for Questions• Tell me something about this painting that is

interesting (or disturbing) to you.• What do you feel the artist is expressing in

this landscape? • How would a dining room table in a house

today look? [when showing the Dutch still life]• Was this artist exploring new ideas in art? A

new direction?• In what ways did the artist use materials to

create her work of art?

ACTIVITYUsing the same work of art:

•Write a set of questions for a class of 4th graders who have never been to a museum.

•Write a set of questions for a class of 11th graders who are in Art II.

Adult and Student LearnersADULTS STUDENTS

Problem-centered Subject-oriented

Results-oriented Future-oriented

Self-directed Dependent on adults

Can be skeptical Accepting of new info

Seek experiences that apply to life

Seek experiences that prepare for future

Feel responsible for own learning

Let others design their learning

Working with Adults

Adult Learner Characteristics

• Years of experience & knowledge

• Established views, beliefs, etc.

• Expect to be treated as adults

• Need to feel self-directed

More characteristics

• Like to problem solve

• Enjoy straightforward, how-to approaches

• Increased variation in learning styles

Use Characteristics to Enhance Tour

Adults have years of experience & knowledge.

Use guests on the tour as a resource, let people add to tour

Adults expect to be treated as adults.

Take questions and comments with respect, acknowledge contributions

Adults need to feel self-directed.

Allow visitors to set the pace, ask what they hope to see.

Adults have multiple learning styles.

Bring in a variety of teaching materials (clippings, canvas, etc.)

Tips on Tours• Introduce yourself, explain that you are a volunteer,

glad that they are here. • Think about the orientation. Let people know what to

expect. What is in the Blanton?• Find out what brought people to museum; what do they

hope to gain? Refer to visitors throughout the tour- try to remember names, hometowns, special interests, etc.

• Ask for questions throughout.• Start the tour with an object that is thought-provoking.• Use transitions from place to place. Create a bridge. • Allow people to wander in and out.• Be prepared and knowledgeable about the subject.• Remember that it is OK not to know all of the answers.

Parts of a Tour• Introduction• Find a theme• Well-designed body

of the tour with a balance of facts and discussion opportunities

• Transitions from place to place

• Conclusion

Thematic Adult Tours• Symbol and Allegory: the Hidden

Language of Art• Portrait of a Lady: Depictions of Women

through Time• The Changing American Landscape• What is America?• New to these Shores: Immigrant Voices at

the Blanton• Life in the Ancient World• Persuasion: Messages and Meanings in Art

Questions to help Stimulate Discussion

• What do you KNOW about this object? (Facts, observed characteristics)

• What do you THINK YOU KNOW? (Hypotheses based on observations)

• What do you WANT TO KNOW? (Curiosities)

Reworded…

• From this first glimpse, what can you tell me about this vase?

• From those observations, what can we conclude about it?

• Is there something about this vase you wish you knew?

Sharpen your Skills- Preview for Spring 2010

• Choose one of the themes for adults

• Prepare three works of art that fit into the theme

• Use the wall label, eLounge, personal knowledge, research to construct a stop

• Keep until Jan. 21

Good places to keep looking

• Your docent notebook• Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer, et al, Adult Museum

Programs, 2002.

• We will have a tour of the Fine Arts Library in the spring, but you are welcome to go there on your own, or any of the libraries on campus, as a docent-in-training. The Fine Arts Library is across from the stadium in the Doty Fine Arts Building. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/fal/