Visiting with a Fan: American Visionary Art Museum

During a recent visit to Baltimore, I stopped by a museum that has long been on my want to visit list, the American Visionary Art Museum. It barely beat out Great Blacks in Wax, though I think that will be my next new Baltimore cultural destination.

I could go on and on about some of the pieces I saw there- an apple wood trunk self portrait sculpture, large fabric pieces that incorporated stolen items, a thermal camera installation that plays "Fever"- but the point of this post is not so much a review of the museum as it is of my experience there.

I visited with an AVAM member and as a first timer, I will admit that I relied somewhat on his knowledge of the place to guide my path. He didn't force me to go through the exhibits in any set order and we would wander around galleries on our own, but he made an effort to point out favorite artists and pieces. More often than not, it was something that I had overlooked in my quest to see as much as possible, making me retrace my steps and take more time to look. After looking again, a conversation would begin, jumping off from the art and into our personal histories. It was like living a museum studies article: using the art on the walls to connect with people.

And while I enjoyed the company and conversation, I wonder how my visit would have differed had I experienced the museum my usual way: alone. I may be in the minority that I typically visit museums on my own- perhaps this has to do with my academic background in museums- but I love wandering through galleries with no real set path, open to stumbling upon whatever exhibit has been put up for me. Those of you who know me in real life will remark that this is a sharp contrast to almost anything else I do; I love a plan. Maybe this is because I've gotten used to visiting museums multiple times. Living in DC has spoiled me. But I wonder what pieces would have caught my eye if I were on my own or what conversations I would have had after the fact.

I certainly don't regret going to the museum with a frequent patron. It was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon and a great way to learn more about a friend. It also challenged my typical museum habits. What are your thoughts- better to wander alone or do you appreciate the benefits of attending with a regular visitor?

And because I can't help it, a note, AVAM: your labels tend to be super long and not consistent.

If you do plan on visiting, remember to show your AAM member card; it gets you $1 off the $14 price of admission. And even though I forgot to flash mine, your student ID will get you in for $8.

Thoughts on the Future

Last week, I participated in an interview project for AAM's Center for the Future of Museums.

This is certainly something I'm thinking about a lot on a small scale- namely, MY future in museums. For the first time in four years, I'm not behind the scenes in any way: not a job, an internship, or graduate course has me with a badge or access card. And with my changing (some may say emerging) position in the muse-iverse, I find it comforting and exciting that the nature of museums themselves are in flux with me.

But enough reflection- you want to know what I think beyond my own professional arc! In my interview, I focused on what I see as the increasing role of visitors in the creation of museum exhitbitions and projects. This is something that I've thought about since I started my grad studies at Tufts in 2006 but since AAM in Philly, it has been more at the forefront of my mind. While I am more than excited to put my degree to good use (anyone need an exhibit developer? grant writer? general museum lackey?), I am fully aware (and excited that) museums are sites for the public. I'm not for creating exhibits for my fellow curators or museum professionals' benefit; I am interested in being a part of an experience that produces a product that a community feels connected to and a part of.

What about your thoughts? What do you see for the future of museums? Be sure to check back. Once they've posted my interview online, you will most certainly want to hear it. Not only do I talk with my hands, but I also mention kielbasa. And what's a professional interview without Polish sausage.

Welcome!

So, a lot has been going on recently: AAM in Philly, graduation from GW, and the job search. One of my closest museum friends, Val, started up her own museum blog a few months back and it reminded me that I had saved this site years ago, back before every museum had its own blog. I like to think of myself as ahead of the curve, but museYUM languished here, as if I didn't think that museums are the tastiest. And I do!

But with a new found energy from the conference and graduation and a drive to put my best foot forward in the job search, I am awakening this sleepy little corner of the interwebs. Check back for my random musings (yuk, yuk) on this whole museum thing, along with some of my favorite past projects.

And I promise to keep the puns to a minimum.