Connection and Participation-Nina Simon

Something interesting I read about was creating a participatory experience for museum go-ers. One key element to this is discussed is to support "multidirectional content experiences". This is different from the traditional museum approach that provides an all-encompassing experience that involves keeping the content consistent for each visitor. The multidirectional experience may sound like a bad idea to those clenched into the traditional ideals for the traditional role the audience plays in participating because its so uncontrolled and people give a lot of different perspectives. However, there is excitement that can come as a result of this for those very same reasons.

The emergence of the web has brought with it the desire and ability to participate freely and connect on a much broader level. Ideas flow freely through blogs, and personal websites. They are highly accessible as far as digitized content and participation. There is a question though as to whether museum attendees even want to participate when it comes to the content of an exhibit. Some might be content to ignore labels and pass through the museum. However this could be due to the preconceived notion that museums are boring, austere places, not for those who prefer social, participatory experiences. This old idea should be thrown out in place of a new approach to participation. Museums should find a way to draw in those who don't believe a museum has value to them. These people are valuable voices that are underrepresented because they just may have a different idea of how a museum typically functions and this causes them to avoid it at all costs.

Meeting the needs of the participants is invaluable to ensure that participation is successful. The three components are:" a plausible promise, an effective tool, and an acceptable bargain (with the participants)." The visitor needs to feel "personal fulfillment", as promised and delivered by staff members of the institution.

Another important objective to this is maintaining clarity between visitor and institution. One cannot expect the public to know your expectations of them if one remains vague, "be creative" well, what do you mean by that? Be specific. Integrate the goals into the presentation to them, there has to be openness for the public to trust the one giving instruction.