Comments on: Why do you visit museums?

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[...]Why do you visit museums? | Indianapolis Museum of Art Blog[...]…

By: CoCo

CoCo — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 00:57:02 +0000

The whole environment inspires me..the grounds, the building, the ever-changing floral arrangement in the front lobby. I believe one of the obstacles is the “shoulds” we hear in our heads, as though museums were medicine. Free admission to the IMA gives me permission to pop in when I only have 45 minutes; I don’t have to check off everything. I can try a new gallery or visit my favorites. I always leave energized, hungry to create something myself.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:20:24 +0000

As a stay at home mom, there’s only so many times you can walk around the neighborhood. The museum gives us a long pleasant walk with fantastic changing scenery.

By: IMA

IMA — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:11:57 +0000

I go to the IMA to experience joy, beauty and peace. physically being near
the beauty of 100′s of years old, and the new 100 acres is a gift to our community. thnak you

By: Dolores

Dolores — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:18:40 +0000

Although I wouldn’t otherwise comment against another writer’s perspective, I found SJJJS’ remark that “that is what educated (semi-educated) people do,” a tad elitist. Many people find that elitist attitude (whether real or imagined) off-putting about museums in general.

I visit art museums because I find beauty there, a sense of peace, and yes, escapism from an often dreary or assaulting world. The learning along the way is co-incidental. One doesn’t need educational degrees or formal arts learning to appreciate the beauty of an art museum experience; only an opportunity to feel welcomed into that world.

By: Fan

Fan — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:58:07 +0000

I visit the IMA for a complete change of environment! It is really that simple. And of course a Beautiful environment.

By: Paul Reynolds

Paul Reynolds — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:02:30 +0000

Interesting post.
I think the whole area of “value’ for museums – galleries – etc – is a brilliant open space. One of my favorite entries into this topic Expressive Lives , ed by Samuel Jones , from the UK think tank Demos.
http://www.demos.co.uk/files/ExpressiveLives_web_ii.pdf

I am also still very enamored by the work of John Holden and his seminal piece
Cultural Value and the Crisis of Legitimacy
http://www.demos.co.uk/publications/culturallegitimacy

By the by – your follow me link to Twitter isn’t working for me.

By: SJJJS

SJJJS — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:37:32 +0000

There are many reasons for visiting museums but I have to admit that one of them is simply because that is what educated (semi-educated) people do. They like art. They visit art. They go to see new exhibitions. They care about certain artists. They care that there is an article about some museum somewhere. They go, the gawk, the buy and eat. It is just that simple. Like brushing ones teeth. It is what you do.

By: Jennifer Agee

Jennifer Agee — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:57:53 +0000

While I would admit I certainly don’t visit museums, especially the IMA as much as I should, or could, I think museums can provide us a sense of our place in the world. Whether we are needing an escape, a chance to be provoked into thinking beyond ourselves, or to be inspired and carry a little piece of what we see or do in a museum back to our home or work. A museum allows connection to history, to the fact that while we may not think or appreciate the same piece in the same way, a difference, we all need and value what a museum can bring us, a connection.
I recall a visit to the Roman exhibit – while I looked for the stories and the mythological symbols, my mother looked with an eye to what the lives of the people were, and my step-father was thinking about the tools they must have used. Different lenses for the same pieces, but we were able to connect and not only learn about the art, but about each other. So this growth is something else a museum can provide. And continuous learning is never bad.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:53:48 +0000

That ‘doable evangelism’ as it pertains to museums is really interesting. Clearly getting people to your front door just isn’t enough. With the remodel/expansion, you did much to make the museum more approachable, but I sometimes find and hear that people are a little intimidated by the front desk – they may know that admission is free but they still have to ‘pass through the gate’. Perhaps in this case a greeter (damn WalMart for making us all cringe at that word) might help – someone with some knowledge about the collection and the art in the entry pavilion to assist the first time or casual visitor. Also, a welcoming atmosphere outside the cafe/gift shop. Maybe get rid of the desk and add a couch or conversation area. I’d like to hang out there (especially with a cocktail).

Then there’s getting people to the museum in the first place – I recently took my girlfriend’s kids to the museum and was thinking about ways to get them excited. I asked the 7 year old if he new of any famous artists and he said ‘Van Gogh’. So the first thing we did was go look at a real Van Gogh. Then I asked him if he’d ever walked on art before – he said no so we went up and played on the Do-Ho Suh. Have you ever touched art in a museum? No. So off to the Turrell. What I thought was going to be a quick 15 minute trip with a kicking 5 and 7 year old turned into an hour long adventure.

I’m rambling but I do think about these things. However you proceed, don’t forget that you’re by far the best game in town. The collection continues to evolve and seems to be becoming better every day, programming (from the lecture series to the recent PK to IIFF) is wonderful, and now contemporary design is integrated into the collection.

All that and a five year old can still walk on a piece of art. Pretty cool.