I got the answer at an induction into museums and their work, aimed at helping interested members of the public find ways to get involved. They described a number of different jobs and included a number of different activities to try for our selves. It was a lot of fun!
It was also fascinating to see how this 'thing' called Public Engagement effects all sorts of different roles and how consideration is given to the visitor experience.
Exhibition design has a public engagement element to it, even though you'd imagine it to be rather like "interior design". You might expect to have a blank space to yourself with no-one around - oh no! You measure the space and build a model using architects' tools so that the change over from exhibition to the next can be made with a minimum of disruption.Even the exhibits are miniturised for the model.
Even a roles like cataloguing and maintaining the collections has a public elements to it. It is the whole reason the museum exists, after all! This museum had been creating an online resourse, a reference library.
Of course, the most engaging activities are the Events. These are designed to pull people in and to raise the profile of an organisation as well as perhaps fundraise or offer learning opportunities.
Craft activities are always popular -- but why 'so childish' and simple? Well, first and foremost, because it is fun, quick and easy! And what's wrong with that! There are other much clearer reasons, too, why it is important. At an open day event, the aim is to broaden the appeal as far as possible - so visitor numbers are up, a lot! That means adjust your expectations.
To give eneryone or every child a go at an activity, you will get just a few minutes with each - that's all! It needs to be simple enough for support volunteers to grasp before children and other visitors arrive, safe for children to do so that safety concerns or first aid do create delays. The materials need to be inexpensive so more can benefit and the craft should be something children wish to take away with them, creating a sense of satisfaction. It is quite a complicate thought and design process!
Here are some examples from a demonstration day at the local museum...
An apple-themed head-band.
This is a craft activity from a Rural Life Museum in Norfolk who are celebrating the national "Apple Day". Level of difficulty: paper cutting with rounded siccors. Children can wear the 'hat' all day - so encouraging other children to come and do the same.
A Paper Sword
Until I was shown, I couldn't imagine how you could create a sword from paper suitable for children to play with, that would not flop like limp lettice! This is nothing more than a rolled up sheet of paper, A2-size for a sword, A3 for a dagger! I'm told it was part of a childrens' history event. The paper id rolled diagonally to give a flute and therefore a point when it is pressed flat. A round circle of card creates the hand guard to finish it off.
The only potential problem...??? Getting the attention of the kids back again as they play fight and forget their chivalry!
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