The Sensing Chicago Gallery

3628 Words8 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: A counclusion about your museum experience

INTRODUCTION

The Chicago Historical Society was founded in 1856 and has spent the majority of its 153 year history as an institution devoted to the diverse and evolving history of Chicago and Illinois. In 2006, the institution emerged from a remarkable 21 month physical and philosophical transformation. Not only did the museum undertake a wholesale renovation of its gallery spaces, but it also took steps to update its public persona to be more representative of the full spectrum of communities living in Chicago.

The museum was rebranded the Chicago History Museum (CHM) as one way of making itself more accessible to new populations of visitors who may have previously felt excluded by the old aristocratic-sounding name of the institution. One principal new demographic sought after by the renovated museum was children. This study focuses on the conceptualization, planning, development, and execution of the interactive gallery space designed to be the centerpiece of this initiative. The Sensing Chicago gallery was designed specifically to challenge young visitors of CHM to think about their own personal relationship to Chicago history. This discussion will also analyze the question of the pedagogical responsibility of modern museums as well as some strategies for engaging young people in the museum setting.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology undertaken for this ethnography was primarily a mix of observations and interviews. I spent approximately eight hours in or around the Sensing Chicago exhibit recording the habits of children, talking to CHM volunteers, talking to parents or teachers of children, or testing out the exhibits myself. In addition to taking written notes, I used a digital camera to capture still photos as...

... middle of paper ...

...ition was instrumental in the creation of an experience that is valuable to the tens of thousands of visitors CHM receives each year. The Sensing Chicago gallery encourages children to make new connections between themselves and the past by personalizing history through the five senses using hands-on exhibits. After experiencing the gallery, children realize they possess the sensory tools to understand and appreciate Chicago history. The renovation of CHM and the subsequent success of Sensing Chicago has offered insight into the evolving pedagogical role of museum education in conjunction with classroom learning.

Works Cited

McRainey, Russick. "Investigating Technology to Connect Children With History." J. Paul Getty Museum Symposium (2005)

McRainey, Russick. "Learning From Kids: Connecting the Exhibition to the Audience." Curator 52/2(2009): 183-192.

Show More
Related

  • Case Statement For The Children’s Museum Of Tacoma

    1144 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Children’s Museum of Tacoma celebrates the power of play in the life-long journey of learning. We share the mission, vision and philosophy of Children’s Museums across the nation, museum’s that are changing standards and leading the implementation of informal learning in the development of the young child. The Children’s Museum of Tacoma positively influences the social, emotional and cognitive abilities of our Pierce County children, families and communities.

    Read More

  • Midwestern Contemporary Art Case Study

    1249 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Midwestern contemporary art case study revolves around the current MCA board chair Peggy Fischer, and former board chair Peter Smith. Smith had been elected to the board after individuals recognized him and his wife for the immense art collecting accomplishments put forth on the couples behalf. Initially Smith was indebted to pay $10,000 to even be elected onto the board chair. Smith indeed paid an initial pledge of $10,000 and financially made amends to put forth $5 million additional dollars towards museum improvements. It is no deniable fact that Fischer had recognized Smiths admirable job running the museum. Smith worked his way up from being a member of the board to board chair. Smith and his wife were highly recognized by the community and aimed to stay out of the spotlight whenever possible.

    Read More

  • Pedgy Notebaert Nature Museum Essay

    1448 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, also known as the Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, opened in 1857 and is one of the oldest natural history museums in the United States. It has had several locations, but is now permanently situated in a modern building in Lincoln Park as part of the city’s museums-in-the-parks program. There are many different exhibits, aimed mainly at helping children learn about nature. Children can experience the more than 1,000 butterflies in the butterfly haven, bird watch, learn about animal extinction, experience green living, watch scientists interact with spiders and other living creatures, hike the short nature trail, play in the hands-on habitat (toddlers), or enjoy any of the other fun and educational exhibits the museum offers. There are also quite a few daily special events so check the website before you go. If you have been to the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, please leave a comment for others to enjoy.

    Read More

  • Tampa Museum Of Art Museum Essay

    1616 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Tampa Museum of Art was not always the same museum that we see today. It went through multiple stages throughout the years. The works vary, creating a large spectrum from the old to the new. The social angles change with the exhibits in the museum, combining to create the diversity we see today. Visiting this museum in person helped me to appreciate it even more than I would have thought possible. Observing and analyzing the other visitors helped me to understand the museum’s impact on the community more than I would have been able to just by reading about it. This museum is much different from others than I have visited.

    Read More

  • Visit To The North Carolina Museum Of History

    659 Words  | 2 Pages

    In conclusion, visiting the History Museum of North Carolina was a great way to experience world culture. The assignment was truly amazing, because I went with purpose, and new look on the influence of the world’s culture today. It is very surprising to find so much of the world wrapped into one big melting pot. You experience the world around you outside of your textbook, living room, and computer. The people living next to you, and even in your very house makeup the different cultural aspects of our community.

    Read More

  • Comparison Of Cultural Imperialism In Art Museums And The Ritual Of Citizenship?

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Art Museums and the Ritual of Citizenship.” in Exhibiting Cultures. Eds. Ivan Karp and Steven Lavine. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1991. Print.

    Read More

  • The Metropolitan Museum Of Art: The Metropolitan Museum Of Art

    1383 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Metropolitan Museum of Art came about as an idea from Jon Jay in Paris, France in 1866 with the idea of “national institution gallery of art” within the United States. Once this idea was proposed, it was immediately moved forward with his return to the United States. With the help of the Union League Club in NY they began to acquire civic leaders, businessmen, artists, and collectors who aided in the creation of the museum. For over 140 years, the visitors who go here have received everything the mission of the institution states.

    Read More

  • Mardi Gras Made In China Analysis

    1523 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Stephen Weil’s essay, he argues “the museum’s role has transformed from one of mastery to one of service” (Weil, 196). According to him, museums have changed their mission from one that cultures the public to one that serves

    Read More

  • A Day at the Norton Simon Museum

    1220 Words  | 3 Pages

    My first experience at the museum was a good one. I had so much fun even after we were done with the Norton-Simon. Being a business major, I did not know that art could speak to me as it did. It has not influenced me so much as to change my major, but it did open my eyes to a whole new world. Now when I look at art, I do not just see a pretty picture, but what the artist is actually trying to say.

    Read More

  • The Museum of Fine Arts

    902 Words  | 2 Pages

    One pleasant afternoon, my classmates and I decided to visit the Houston Museum of Fine Arts to begin on our museum assignment in world literature class. According to Houston Museum of Fine Art’s staff, MFAH considers as one of the largest museums in the nation and it contains many variety forms of art with more than several thousand years of unique history. Also, I have never been in a museum in a very long time especially as big as MFAH, and my experience about the museum was unique and pleasant. Although I have observed many great types and forms of art in the museum, there were few that interested me the most.

    Read More

  • Oriental Institute Museum

    994 Words  | 2 Pages

    I had an opportunity to visit the oriental institute museum . During my visit to the museum I was made aware of its location and the importance of it to chicago. The museum housed many exhibits of historical value dating civilization back to the paleolithic period of 2,500,000-100,000 B.C. Below you'll find examples of mans rise through the use of tools and refined skills from cave living to structured living throughout evolution. This is an experience that has grounded me to a new interest in structures that we have devised to become the homes we use today for the rest of my life.

    Read More

  • The Perez Art Museum Miami

    1116 Words  | 3 Pages

    During my visit to the Pérez Art Museum Miami, I did more than just observing beautiful artworks. With the guidelines provided I could appreciate and study also the hidden meaning of some of the pieces I had in front of me. Some of them were easier than other ones, due to previous knowledge I had, but all of them made me examine them in a critic way that enriched my cultural heritage.

    Read More

  • Computer Technology in the Classroom

    1102 Words  | 3 Pages

    Computers can also capture and hold a child’s interest like no other learning tool. Consider, for example, NASA’s recent Mars landing and exploration. It is now possible for an elementary classroom to log on and follow events like these as they unfold - they are witnessing and experiencing a national event as it is occurring. There is no doubt that without technology, an event such as this would not be nearly as interesting or appealing as say, following it in the newspaper.

    Read More

  • Museum Education Case Study

    1247 Words  | 3 Pages

    Steve prefers to work with middle aged children, for younger children make him uncomfortable and older children are too political. Prior to the case study he had low expectations for the children, for he believed the parents are not educating their children enough. As a result, during the first school trip he ignored the new format and preceded giving the group a traditional tour of the museum. During the second school trip Steve was an “roaming expert (Allen and Crowley 94)”, so he would walk through the exhibits, as a source of guidance, but also as an observer. Therefore, during the second visit Steve had the opportunity to realize how educated and excited the children were about the museum and its exhibit, for the children had learned about this topic prior to entering the museum. At my internship at the Historical Society, I got to observe a second grade walking tour and I remember being mesmerized about how educated the children were about Frederick’s history, but also how the students were applying the information they obtained in class into the tour. Both Steve and I learned that in-classroom preparation prior to visiting a museum can truly make an education program more rewarding for the students and the museum

    Read More

  • My Museum Visit Report

    1365 Words  | 3 Pages

    When first arriving at the museum it was an old styled, rustic, building that was not very modern, which I think fits into the theme of the museum. The outside of the building had history, similar to how the inside of museum is filled with a history. There was also an impressive statue of former president Theodore Roosevelt. I thought it was an interesting display, but Theodore Roosevelt was an advocate for the preservation of national parks and the conservation of animals, moreover, I thought it was a great tribute to him. I think the outside of the museum shows how rich the history of the world is and there is so much to learn. The past has been polished for the people of the present to understand and admire. Overall, I felt every exhibit was easy to understand and not intimidating; subsequently, it was easy for children and adults to look at.

    Read More

More about The Sensing Chicago Gallery

Open Document