Beyond Glitter and Glue
12 Days of Christmas Day 1
Welcome to the first episode of the “12 Days of Christmas Museum Education Edition!”
Let’s dive into a vital topic: moving beyond “crafting for craft’s sake” in museum programming.
Key Quotes
“To craft for craft's sake is your mother's museum education. And I said what I said.”
“Every crafting activity that we design should be more than just a fun distraction. It should be a powerful storytelling tool that aligns seamlessly with our mission, and it should transform simple projects into impactful educational experiences.”
Check out the episode on your favorite podcast player!
(Looking for more on this topic? Click here for more insights on the blog!)
Episode Highlights
The Glitter and Glue Trap: Today, I'm sharing why we need to move beyond crafts that just keep kids busy. Instead, let's make every activity a meaningful part of their museum experience.
Missional Crafting: Crafting should connect to our museum’s mission. When we align activities with our purpose, visitor engagement deepens, and they connect more genuinely with our content.
Lessons Learned: I share a couple of personal stories—a craft fail with Shrinky Dinks and a meaningful win with custom souvenir boxes—to illustrate the difference between random crafting and mission-driven activities that make a lasting impact.
Crafting with Purpose: Every activity should have a clear "why." By making each craft or project intentional, we’re enhancing learning and creating memorable experiences.
Actionable Takeaways
Start with Your Mission: Revisit your museum’s core themes and use them as a foundation for developing activities that are engaging, relevant, and purposeful.
Craft with Intention: Make sure every activity in your program has a clear reason that enhances the learning experience, whether it’s a movement break, a deeper dive into a topic, or a creative engagement with the collection.
Communicate the “Why”: Clearly explain the purpose of each activity to staff and volunteers, ensuring they understand its role in the overall visitor experience.
Resources Mentioned
Activity-Based Teaching in the Art Museum: Movement, Embodiment, Emotion, by Elliott Kai-Kee, Lissa Latina, and Lilit Sadoyan
Looking for the transcript? Find it here.
