In addition to our trainings and walkthroughs focused on the new exhibitions, our staff met with the docents for brainstorming sessions, thinking about ways to connect the Future theme and subthemes to content in our collection. We collectively compiled fun facts and talking points that directly relate contemporary life with these concepts. Docents shared helpful articles, books, videos, anything relating to the future or time, within our group.
Some of the engaging techniques that we developed together...
• At the beginning of your tour, invite visitors to close their eyes. Using a timer, ask them to raise their hand when they think one minute has passed. See how people's perception varies.
• Timed looking - ask visitors to look at an object for 4 seconds then turn around. Ask them what they perceived. Ask them to look again for 10 seconds then turn around. What did they notice this time? Ask them to look again for 20 seconds. What else did they find?
• Slow/Fast walking between objects – ask visitors how this affects their sense of timing on the tour.
• Before/After – ask visitors what they think happened before or after the scene. Why did the artist choose to capture this moment in time?
Through teamwork and creativity, we are continuously developing ways to engage our visitors. Join us on a docent tour at the Rubin Museum and learn more about what The Future has in store for you.
Laura Sloan, Manager of Docent & Access Programs, Rubin Museum of Art, New York, NY
May 3, 2018