One of the things we’re always thinking about at the Barrick is how to engage the community. By that, I mean how can we connect with visitors, build lasting relationships, and encourage repeat visits. As I’ve written before, I’m a firm believer that museums can no longer simply be providers of content but must serve as community and participatory spaces. Museums should be gathering places; and I’d like to think that, over the last several years, we’ve made the Barrick a more welcoming place. UNLV Students and other visitors now regularly come to the Museum not only to see the exhibitions but to hang out, study, and meet friends. The lounge area is more often than not live with activity, and it is fully stocked with books, games, puzzles, and sketching supplies, giving visitors the opportunity to learn something, create something, and have a positive social experience.
Other recent changes have included: designating a portion of the exhibition space as a community gallery; collaborating with local arts organizations; creating the Barrick Student Association; planning student only events (such as tonight’s Rebel Art Party); soliciting visitor opinions through the comment and Post-it walls (pictured below); and building an extraordinarily supportive online community. All in all I’d say we’ve done a terrific job in starting to build relationships, but there is so much more we can and will be doing.
In the upcoming weeks and months, we’ll be launching a collectors club and concert series; planning fun and unique events and experiences (keep a look out for something on 11-11-11); continuing to work with local art organizations and nonprofits; and lookingthrough hundreds of suggestions left on the Post-it wall to help plan next year’s exhibition schedule.
Our overall goal is to create “good” museum experiences, experiences that are educational, enjoyable, and social. We want visitors to leave feeling inspired and eager to come back. I would love for people to ask themselves, “I wonder what’s going on at the Barrick today.” I know we’re a long way off from where I’d like us to be, but I think we’re on the right path.
The question is, are we connecting with you. Are the things we’re doing helping to create an engaged community? I’d love to hear from you. I’d love to know what you think we’re doing right and doing wrong, and just hear your ideas and thoughts about the Museum. Please comment below or send me an email – aurore.giguet@unlv.edu.
