Culture brought to life: live broadcasts make museums accessible to everyone

Interactive collections for young and old

Through live video broadcasts, people of all ages and backgrounds can participate in interactive lessons about art and culture.

"Artful Connections is a program that offers free interactive video conferences to an audience ranging from third-grade students to adults," explains Allie Knight, who leads the program and trains the presenters.

The presenters guide you through the museum's extensive digital collection in up to an hour. This way, you learn about the founding of America, the Civil War, or African American artists.

A more inclusive cultural experience

Becky Fulcher is responsible for the technical aspects and coordinates the requests. She talks about the added value of this program. "In the United States, you often have to pay for a substitute teacher, organize parents as chaperones, and arrange transport to visit the museum. Additionally, certain population groups do not always feel welcome in museums. By bringing the program to them, we make it not only easier but also more comfortable for people to participate."

The benefits for both the organization and the audience:

• Accessibility: Art and culture become accessible to a broader audience, regardless of location or budget.
• Interactivity: Participants are actively involved in the lessons by asking questions, completing assignments, and engaging in discussions with the presenter.
• Flexibility: The program can be tailored to the specific needs of different target groups, from elementary school students to adults.
• Cost-effective: Compared to physical education programs, live video conferences are often more cost-efficient.

Interactive lessons on art and culture

The volunteer presenters conduct interactive lessons via Zoom. Most of them are retirees with a passion for art or education.

“What is it like to work with this group of volunteers?” podcast host Anic van Damme asks Allie Knight. “New presenters are sometimes afraid they won't be able to hold the attention of students remotely,” she explains. "Volunteers create their own presentations and receive training once a year," says Allie. "This ensures they feel ownership over the content and don't panic if something goes wrong."

The choice of the Zoom platform was deliberate due to its user-friendliness, especially for older volunteers. Becky explains: "Zoom was everywhere during the pandemic, and it remains easy to use. Many schools and volunteers are already familiar with this platform, which lowers the barrier to participating in our programs."

Online, not offline

According to the only two paid staff members behind this program, you can tell a different story online than offline. You can show images and videos that complement the content. This isn't something you would typically do while standing next to a sculpture in a museum hall.

Seek allies

For organizations looking to start a similar program, Becky has an important piece of advice for you in this video. She also emphasizes the importance of finding allies within your organization.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum demonstrates how live broadcasts can offer a broader and more inclusive cultural experience to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Curious to hear more from the interview with Becky Fulcher and Allie Knight? Watch the full episode of ‘Cultuurshift’. In it, a panel of Dutch tech and culture experts discusses Artful Connections.