Beyond the #selfie Connecting teens and art through social media Dana Allen-Greil National Gallery of Art @danamuses
Beyond the #selfie: Connecting teens and art through social media
Aug 27, 2014
Presented at the Museum Computer Network conference in Montreal, November 2013.
Tweeting, Tumbling, snapping photos--how can we turn typical teen behaviors in the museum into meaningful learning experiences? At the National Gallery of Art, thousands of middle and high school students visit each year. Most are not pre-registered, do not participate in formal educational programs such as tours, and are set loose on their own to explore the museum. To reach and engage this audience, the Gallery created a printed guide to the permanent collection (called #atNGA) that encourages looking carefully at works of art, making connections between art and life, exploring art as historical and cultural expression, and reflecting on the creative spirit. What makes this guide different is that each work of art is paired with a social media prompt such as: take and share a photo (via Instagram), craft a text response (via Twitter), or ponder a question with a friend. By explicitly inviting and helping to shape teens' social media interactions with the Gallery, we hope to turn what might otherwise be a frivolous encounter into a learning experience. This presentation will share the results of our evaluation research and discuss the broader challenges and opportunities of connecting with teens via social media.
Tweeting, Tumbling, snapping photos--how can we turn typical teen behaviors in the museum into meaningful learning experiences? At the National Gallery of Art, thousands of middle and high school students visit each year. Most are not pre-registered, do not participate in formal educational programs such as tours, and are set loose on their own to explore the museum. To reach and engage this audience, the Gallery created a printed guide to the permanent collection (called #atNGA) that encourages looking carefully at works of art, making connections between art and life, exploring art as historical and cultural expression, and reflecting on the creative spirit. What makes this guide different is that each work of art is paired with a social media prompt such as: take and share a photo (via Instagram), craft a text response (via Twitter), or ponder a question with a friend. By explicitly inviting and helping to shape teens' social media interactions with the Gallery, we hope to turn what might otherwise be a frivolous encounter into a learning experience. This presentation will share the results of our evaluation research and discuss the broader challenges and opportunities of connecting with teens via social media.
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Beyond the #selfieConnecting teens and art through social media
Dana Allen-GreilNational Gallery of Art@danamuses
How can we leverage this behavior for deeper interaction with the museum?Solution: Invite participation and help guide interactions with art
Each yearthousands of teensvisit theNational Gallery of Art Not pre-registered Not on a school tour Set loose on their own
Image: OZinOH
An opportunity to acknowledge and welcome social behaviors Taking photos Checking in Tweeting Talking with friends
Approach: Start with something we already know how to do wellPrinted self-guides to the permanent collection
Image: Carlos Oliviera Reis
3 WAYS TO ENGAGE
WHO ARE THESE FOR, EXACTLY?
Teens (13-18)Who are visiting the Gallery, particularly those visiting in un-guided groups
1
Young adults (18+)Who are visiting the Gallery and are interested in engaging via social media
2
Image: Carlos Oliviera Reis
Teachers, parents, chaperonesof the primary audience (teens)
3
MATCHING OUR OFFERING TO THE
NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF TEENS
are mobile and social. is designed to be easy to use with a smartphone and common social media apps.is also appropriate for those who want to just have a conversation with their group, rather than use technology.
Teens… Our guide…
share photos on Instagram (one of the most popular activities for teens using mobile devices).(80% of teens who use social networks post photos/videos.)
makes it clear that this activity is welcomed and encouraged behavior.
Teens… Our guide…
visiting in un-guided groups sometimes need encouragement and some structure to help them focus on works of art.
provides multiple hooks for looking at, thinking about and responding to art.
Teens… Our guide…
are interested in viewing the Gallery’s “must-see” works of art.
highlights a small selection of key works in the permanent collection.
Visitors… Our guide…
Lowering barriersWe selected works of art that are more accessible to the target audience: they feature young people, tell a story, are figurative, and/or are by famous artists.
Asking instead of tellingThe guide probes readers to consider their own opinions, interpretations, and reflections on the works of art
We avoided art historical language in favor of an informal tone encouraging personal reflection
Encouraging discussion with friendsBy prompting teens to share their thoughts and photos with friends on social networks, the guide encourages teens to consider how works of art are relevant to their lives.
INTENDED OUTCOMES
Visitors are actively engaged with works of art Careful looking Making connections
between art and life Reflecting on the
creative spirit Having fun
Teens feel more comfortable looking at and expressing their thoughts about art
Teens are inspired to return to the Gallery or visit another art museum
Teens develop long-term relationships with the Gallery Follow on Twitter Subscribe for
newsletter Attend a program
EVALUATION
Evaluation
Formative
Prototype testing and interviews with a group of teens on a school visit during content development
Context
Talked with information desk volunteers about when/who/why they distribute the guide
Survey
Only 4 responses since July (19,000 print guides distributed since April). All over 30, none chaperones.
To Come: Observations & Interviews
Bring in target audience to discuss the format, content, distribution, and other ideas for improving the experience.
What about responses like this?
Results[19,000 printed guides distributed since April]
Total = 171 in 7 monthsInstagram = 139Tweets = 63(Note: some tweets included links to Instagram)
31 Instagram links 19 pic.twitter.com 10 text only 1 Vine 1 yfrog photos 1 hashtag only
Responses Tweet breakdown
Distribution
1. Information desks Must be handed out by volunteers
2. Website PDF download Buried under Visit > Tours & Guides > Self-
Guides
3. Email newsletters Targeted to teens, educators
Hunches & Ideas
Not clear that this is a guide primarily for teens Prompts need to be more compelling (and simpler
in some cases) Gallery needs to be actively responding and
promoting on Instagram and Twitter Prompts that are integrated into the experience
(e.g., on the wall labels or on the app) would get more traction
Need to improve distribution and awareness Optimize for discovery and use on a mobile device
YOUR IDEAS?
THANKS!Dana Allen-Greile. [email protected]. @danamusesb. engagingmuseums.com
Photo Credits:storify.com/danamuses/atnga
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