Conference proceedings: interactive learning in Museums of Art

An international conference that took place at the Victoria and Albert Museum on 17 – 18 May 2002

The transformation of the British Galleries, which opened in November 2001, was the V&A’s largest project for over half a century. The galleries combine modern displays, five exquisitely restored period rooms and the latest technology. They also incorporate interactive interpretation throughout the main displays located in three Discovery Areas.

Throughout the gallery there are computer interactives, videos and audio programmes, including music and commentaries on selected objects, also facsimile books and things to touch and handle.

This major international conference considered whether the interactive interpretation so common in museums of science and technology is appropriate in an art and design context. Key issues for discussion included:

• Should museums of art and design be interactive?
• What is the nature of interactive learning in an art and design context?
• Is there a difference between art interactivity and design interactivity?
• Are aesthetic experiences interactive?
• Does interactivity work equally well for fine and decorative art, contemporary and historic collections?
• Should interactives be in separate spaces or integrated with the exhibits to which they relate?
• What are the current examples of best practice in the UK and internationally?

The focus of the conference was on interpretation that is designed as an integral part of gallery displays or in separate interactive areas. A wide view of interactivity was taken, encompassing both digital media and low-tech approaches such as handling collections, replica costumes and ‘lift-the-flap’ activities.

Day 1

Interactivity: what is it and what does it do?
Chair: Christopher Wilk, Keeper, Furniture, Textiles and Fashion department, V&A
Welcome and introduction by Mark Jones, Director of the V&A

Session 1- Keynote talk

What is the nature of interactive experiences? Linking research and practice
Marianna Adams, Institute for Learning and Innovation, Annapolis, Maryland,
and Theano Moussouri, Research Centre for Museums and Galleries, University of Leicester
View and print (5 pages)

Session 2

How do visitors learn from interactives?
Fiona Godfrey, developer of Fantasmic, Centre for Visual Arts, Cardiff
View and print (4 pages)
Jo Digger, New Art Gallery, Walsall
View and print (5 pages)

Session 3

Interactive learning in the British Galleries
Gail Durbin, Deputy Director, Learning & Visitor Services, V&A
View and print (20 pages)

Session 4 - Seminars

1.'Not just looking': interactions between museum visitors, works of art and computers
Alex Morrison, Cognitive Applications
View and print (2 pages)

2. Interactivity and multi-sensory engagement for pre-school children
Nikki Brookes, developer of Craftplay, Bilston Craft Gallery, Wolverhampton
View and print (10 pages)

3. Can activity develop aesthetic understanding in visitors?
Philip Yenawine, Co-director of Visual Understanding in Education, New York
View and print (5 pages)

4. Learning in an interactive gallery: a conceptual approach for all ages
Susy Watts, developer of ArtQuest at Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Nashville, Tennessee
View and print (11 pages)

Session 5 - Keynote talk

Is interactivity different for fine art as opposed to design?
James Bradburne, Director, mak.frankfurt
View and print (12 pages)

Session 6 - Plenary

So what is interactivity in an art and design context?
Speakers from the day participated in a discussion with David Anderson,
Director, Learning & Visitor Services, V&A
View and print (1 page)

Day 2

Interactivity: is it appropriate?
Chair: Morna Hinton, Head of Evaluation and Visitor Research, Division of Learning & Visitor Services, V&A
View and print (1 page)

Session 7

A critique of the ethos of interactivity
Keynote speaker: Josie Appleton, Institute of Ideas, London, and journalist for Spiked Online
View and print (8 pages)

Session 8

Interactivity and social inclusion
Claire Ackroyd, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford
View and print (5 pages)
Jocelyn Dodd, Research Centre for Museums and Galleries, University of Leicester
View and print (6 pages)

Session 9

Design for interaction and collaboration
Christian Heath, King's College London
View and print (15 pages)

Session 10 - Seminars

Seminars repeated from Day 1

Session 11 - Keynote talk

Art practice and interactivity
Roy Ascott, Director, CaiiA-STAR, University of Wales College, Newport, and University of Plymouth
View and print (11 pages)

Session 12 - Plenary

Is interactivity appropriate for art museums?
Speakers from the day participated in a panel discussion with David Anderson