Julian: Readings vs. Reality

How do this week's readings relate to visitors at MOXI? What have you observed that is supported by the reading? Anything that conflicts?

First off, I want to briefly comment on the very human need to categorize. Based on my own experience at MOXI, I think there is a nuance that Falk is having difficulty communicating, as I'm not entirely satisfied with some of the distinctions made: for example, the recharger and experience seeker both have similar needs to reflect on the overall ambience of the space. The categorization of museum visitors emphasized in this week's readings and the assignment is useful though, both in terms of communicating and educating museum scientists and analyzing data. 

At MOXI, based on my experience, we have patterns of visitors. Weekends receive crowds of tourists while weekdays are a trickle of field trip groups, members, and people with the odd day off from distant towns and communities. I can definitely identify some of the types of guests we receive: teachers looking for field trip or activity ideas stand prominently in my mind (as does a particular guest who came in just to mend her shoe with hot glue and then left!) and rightly deserve a category of their own. Tourists visit MOXI either to entertain their kids or to check an item off the list of great downtown activities in Santa Barbara. 

On that same note, MOXI is consistent with the average US Museum Guest with the majority being white, in their 30's or a child, and female. I also agree that any analysis in this regard would be fairly unhelpful, other than to identify underserved populations in our community. 

I have two particular reflections that I'd like to share that are particularly meaningful based on what we've read. 

A. Museums of all kinds improve peoples' opinions of the subject or field of the museum, even if those guests don't learn anything new. With all this extra time in the Innovation Workshop, I've observed gradual changes in how people view the actions of their children. I heard a parent remark just today that they hope that their children will grow out of their crafty mess-making phase. I secretly hoped that they wouldn't, and would grow up to be an engineer or scientist with a do-it-yourself attitude. 

B. I have newfound understanding as to why some adults remark: I think I'm having more fun than my kids! (often followed by a cheeky suggestion that this museum is secretly for adults). Oftentimes, these adults are clearly explorers, pleasantly surprised by things that are new to them and curious about the things they already know a little about. In contrast, experience seekers and facilitators are engaged not with the exhibits and the staff but with their family members or friends, whom they might have met up with outside the museum. These remarks are often the highlight of the day and lead to conversations about a variety of topics: the museum's history, its strategic plan and target audience, which exhibits are fun, how to get the most out of certain things at the museum, and so on. 

I think I might need to do a little more thinking about what might conflict with the readings, but my general feeling is that it's very easy to simply accept what they say. I feel like I can place certain experiences into context with language I didn't have before: guests that are dissatisfied that they weren't able to access a particular exhibit or space are more likely to be experience seekers. With this language, and a new yearning to inquire and seek out the self-aspects and values of our guests, I'm confident that I can produce new strategies as a facilitator.