NO KIDS ALLOWED!

Museum Innovations | Keelan Cashmore

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If you have visited a museum recently, chances are you’ve seen a wide variety of programs dedicated to patrons under the age of the 18. These could include mommy and me events, holiday programs, summer camps, and more. Museums are striving to become inclusive spaces that provide fun for the whole family.

While this is great for families, especially those with young children, what about patrons who would prefer a kid-free experience?

More and more museums are developing events and programs geared to this demographic.

The Royal British Columbia Museum (RBCM) located in Victoria, British Columbia, holds four different types of adult only events.

One of the exhibits at the Royal British Columbia Museum. Source.

These are: night shift, grown-up camp, museum happy hour, and night at the museum.

Each event provides adults the chance to experience special programming designed just for them, free of children or underage teenagers.

Night shift is “an opportunity to visit the museum for an evening of presentations, live music, and exciting interaction with museum and community experts.” This event is held twice a year, on Halloween and New Years, and each event promotes a different theme.

Grown-up camp is defined as “a twist on nostalgic summer camp themes” and allows adults the chance to participate in either a day camp, or a sleepover camp, at the museum. This is a recurring event that takes places throughout the year.

Museum happy hour is an after-work event where adults can partake in new food and drink specials, explore the galleries, and take part in themed activities. Like grown-up camp, this is a recurring event throughout the year.

The final adults only event, is entitled Night at the Museum – Adults Only! This is a recurring sleepover camp strictly for those of legal age. Event activities include "food, drinks, and adventurous thematic-themed excursions throughout the museum.”

Each of these activities allows adults to get involved in the museum, while providing them with fun and entertainment. Who said kids are the only ones who should have entertaining programs?

This idea of adult only events has been picking up speed within the museum community. The Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) in Edmonton, Alberta, recently reopened, has also included adult only events in their programming with the development of “Evening at the Museum” where those 18+ can relax with food, drinks, music, and a relaxed atmosphere.

One of the exhibits at the Royal Alberta Museum. Source.

Traditional institutions are not the only places integrating adults only events. The Telus Spark in Calgary, Alberta, hosts their “Adult Only Night” once a month from 6:00pm-10:00pm. During this night, patrons receive free reign in the galleries, a fully licensed bar, a dance floor, more involved challenges, and innovative collaborators from around the community.

One of the exhibits at the Telus Spark. Source.

Some children’s museums are even partaking in the adults only trend. The Manitoba Children’s Museum, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, has launched a series of events entitled “Seriously Adult.” The event includes opening the museum after hours, providing a fully licensed bar, and special events such as comedy or trivia nights. It also allows the adults to fully interact with the exhibits without the worry of small children underfoot. Proceeds from these events are used to increase museum revenue, as they receive only 14% of their funding from the government. Lisa Dziedic, the museum’s Marketing Director, states that the return on the adults only events has been higher than those from fundraising galas, special event dinners, and golf tournaments (source).

The exhibit area at the Manitoba Children's Museum. Source.

Overall, it seems adults only events are taking the museum by storm! Not only are they providing adults with a chance to explore the museum without children underfoot, they are bringing revenue into the museum by providing this demographic with programming tailored specifically to them.

As an individual who falls within this demographic, I think adults only events are a fantastic way to provide patrons with a new way to experience museums, and I look forward to partaking in some of these events myself!

BUILDING BLOCKS

Museum Innovations | Keelan Cashmore

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A common theme discussed in Museum Studies classes is that the term "museum" encompasses more than the traditional institution. We’re told that this umbrella term covers zoos, historic houses, national parks, visitor centres, and so much more.

But, what about buildings?

We know that architecture plays a key role in museums. Not only does museum architecture need to be functional and relevant to the space, but it also influences the presentation of the objects (source). However, museum architecture usually refers to the building of the intended museum. What if a building designed as a building, and not a museum, could fall under the large umbrella term of "museum"?

One of the best examples for this would be the Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building. 

The Burj Khalifa was inaugurated in 2010 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and stands 829.8m tall. 

The Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Source.

The building itself is considered a work of art and is thought to be “an unprecedented example of international cooperation, symbolic beacon of progress, and an emblem of the new, dynamic and prosperous Middle East” (source).

Apart from being a building, Burj Khalifa is comprised of residential space, office space, the Armani Hotel Dubai, Armani residences, lounges, health and wellness facilities, four pools, and two observation decks. It also provides promotional perks for members. 

View from the top of the Burj Khalifa. Source.

This building is more than just a building. It is both a historical and artistic addition to the cultural city of Dubai. Artworks are present throughout the building, including the sculpture “World Voices” by artist Jaume Plensa, and Karim Rashid’s “Evolutes” adorning the corporate entrance of The Residence at Burj lobby. It also presents the cultural history of Dubai, with its Stories. These stories discuss the significance of the artistic and historical aspects of the Burj Khalifa, and why this is significant for the city of Dubai (source).

The Burj Khalifa building itself has also been used as an art piece itself, often lighting up in various colours or patterns. For example, in October, the Burj Khalifa was lit up pink to raise awareness about Breast Cancer. Source.

Images showcasing the Burj Khalifa on various nights. Source.

However, the Burj Khalia is not the only building like this. Toronto’s CN Tower is one of these types of buildings in its own right. Completed in 1976 the CN Tower is the world’s 9th tallest building at a height of 553.3m tall (source).

Similar to museums, the CN Tower contains text panels and displays detailing its history, from inception to construction, and how it has changed since 1976. It also consists of observation decks, restaurants, and the ever-popular Edgewalk, which allows individuals to walk on the outside of the tower. 

The CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Source.

Like the Burj Khalifa, the CN Tower promotes the significance of the history and culture of Toronto through both its design and presence as a tourist attraction within the city. Since its initial creation as a television and radio platform, the CN Tower has become an iconic building in the city of Toronto.  

View from inside the CN Tower. Source.

Both the Burj Khalifa and the CN Tower have similar aspects to museums or historic houses. They promote the history of the buildings and their relevance to understanding the city in which they were constructed. They also provide a unique experience for visitors and present a specific artistic vision associated with the buildings.

Edgewalk on the CN Tower. Source.

Are the Burj Khalifa and the CN Tower a different type of interpretation of “museum”? Yes. But being different doesn’t mean they should be separated. In this regard, I would consider these buildings, and buildings like them, just as much under the umbrella of “museums” as I would zoos or historic houses. As the world evolves so does our definition of “museum”, and it’s important to be open to accepting these changes.

Want to check out another enthralling blog post about the CN Tower? Check out Rebecca's Ghosts of Toronto's Past, where she discusses why we are so obsessed with getting these "birds eye views." You can read her article here.

VROOM VROOM

Museum Innovations | Keelan Cashmore

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Imagine a world where, instead of going to a museum, the museum came to you.

Does this seem far-fetched? Perhaps. But it’s an idea that appears to be making a splash not only in Canada, but around the world.

Van cartoon. Source.

The mobile museum is “a museum’s educational outreach program that brings the museum to the people rather than vice versa. Typically, they can be in recreational vehicles, or trucks/trailers that drive to schools, libraries, and rural events.” (Source)

A primary example of mobile museums in Canada is the BC Artifacts Museum. This museum’s collection contains First Nations, Pioneer, Fur Trade, and Gold Rush artifacts, with presentations primarily in British Columbia. These presentations can be tailored to anyone, from students, to the elderly, to those with special needs, and allows the audience to not only view, but also touch some of the artifacts. (Source)

Logo for the BC Artifacts Museum. Source.

A similar museum, TAME Trailblazer, is available in Texas. The Tame (Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering) Trailblazer is a STEM museum on wheels. This museum’s primary focus is students in grades 3-8. The museum is housed in a 40-foot trailer and brings interactive exhibits students. These exhibits have an emphasis on STEM topics, such as energy, space, biotech, and weather, and provides students with a support network, consisting of after school TAME clubs, STEM competitions, and even college scholarships. (Source) 

TAME Trailblazer logo. Source.

However, North America is not the only continent home to mobile museums. In Australia, Shark in a Bus has become a popular attraction. This heritage marine museum is located on wheels in a 157 Leyland Bus and is meant to represent Australia as a whole. The main attraction is a 5-metre long Great White Shark called Frankie, but the museum also exhibits whaling artifacts, fossils, and more. (Source) 

Shark in a Bus photo collage. Source.

The appearance of these mobile museums speaks strongly to accessibility within various institutions. Having museums on wheels could be a huge benefit to those who do not have access to museums otherwise. They are also highly beneficial for teachers, as with the BC Artifacts Museum and the TAME Trailblazer, the exhibits can be brought to the schools directly. In cases like Shark in a Bus, with its consistent travelling, it allows anyone the chance to see the exhibits, despite proximity to a specific city. It also allows people to cut back on travel costs if they want to see one specific exhibit.

This poses an interesting question; could large institutions become a mobile museum?

Yes and no. 

Source for all three images.

 

Some museums, like the Smithsonian, have over 150 million specimens and artifacts throughout their displays and collections (source). It would be impossible to fit this many objects, artifacts, and specimens into the trailers or trucks typically utilized by the mobile museums. However, the adoption of this concept could help larger museums reach a broader audience, and potentially get more visitors through the institution itself. Therefore, the museum would not become completely mobile, but could utilize the idea of mobility to help reach more patrons than before.

Overall, I think the mobile museums are a fantastic new way to promote educational programming and small exhibits to students and the public. If their success is continued, I think it will only be a matter of time until we see institutions big and small offering this service and helping to make museums around the globe more accessible!

WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN

 Special Edition | Keelan Cashmore 

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Over the holidays I had the pleasure of travelling to Egypt. Egypt is a country with a rich and vibrant history. Its mythologies have been the subjects of numerous adventure stories, and it has become a country that entices countless visitors.

It is easy to see why! 

The Pyramids of Giza. Photo courtesy of Keelan Cashmore.

Though I was excited to uncover the history of Egypt while being in the country, I was equally excited to see how the Egyptian Museum, and various historic sites throughout the country, differ from those in Canada.

I found six key differences in Egyptian museums and sites that I want to discuss.

1) The first difference was organization. If you visit the ROM, the curation and selection of specific artifacts and displays is evident. There is a method to the madness, and the pieces are presented in such a way that visitors know what they are seeing and why. At the Egyptian Museum, objects have also been carefully selected. However, they are of such a high volume that it can be overwhelming. Each room is packed to the brim with these objects, and because of this, it can be difficult to understand what you’re seeing. Labels do exist, but apart from the featured exhibitions they can be few and far between. 

Egyptian sandals at the Egyptian Museum. Note that there is no label or description.
Photo courtesy of Keelan Cashmore.

2) The second difference was docents. In both the Egyptian Museum and the historic sites such as temples and the pyramids, tour guides do not exist. At historic sites there are also no interpretive signs or labels. You either know what you’re seeing, or you have hired a tour guide in advance to show you around. In some temples, there were men who would point out various “areas of interest”, or who would offer to take your photo. Unlike Canadian museums, these men did this to earn money. If advice or photos were taken, many of the men expected monetary compensation. This is quite common throughout Egypt.

3) The third difference was preservation. I was shocked to see how many of the artifacts in the Egyptian Museum could be touched. This was the same with temples. It was so easy to reach out and touch hieroglyphs or statues that were thousands of years old. We were also allowed to climb on the pyramids. I would bet that if these monuments were in Canada, we would barely be allowed to breathe on them, let alone climb them. The one area where touching was restricted was the Valley of the Kings, inside the tombs of pharaohs such as Ramses II and Tutankhamun. From a tourist perspective, I loved being able to touch artifacts and hieroglyphs. The fact that I was touching real history was an indescribable experience. But from the perspective of a museum professional, it left me with a sour taste in my mouth. Wear and tear were evident in some places, and it made me sad to think it would only get worse. 

Tourists on the Pyramid of Khufu. Photo courtesy of Keelan Cashmore.

4) The fourth, and maybe most surprising difference to me, was gift shops. Museums and temples in Egypt do not have what we would consider “gift shops”. Instead, they have what we would consider markets. Essentially, on the way out of the temple or museum, the street is lined with vendors who attempt to sell you their wares. The vendors can be intimidating but are harmless. If you ignore them, they usually go away, but as a woman it can be unsettling. There was one instance where the two people I was walking with went in different directions and I was standing alone. I had four vendors surround me and promote their wares. That was one heck of an experience! 

Vendors promoting their wares at the Aswan Dam. Photo courtesy of Keelan Cashmore. 

5) The fifth difference was access to washrooms. In Egypt, public washrooms have a fee. They cost 5 Egyptian pounds per use, which is less than an American dollar. It’s not expensive, but it can be difficult to get small bills. Many of us in my tour group discussed how we did not care about the money, but how it bothered us, nonetheless. I think it’s because we are so used to public washrooms being available that we view it as a “right”. It comes along with culture shock and realizing that something as simple as access to public washrooms can vary greatly depending on your location in the world.

6) The sixth main difference I want to mention is camera tickets. In Western museums it can be common to charge a separate admission for special exhibitions. This is also true for Egypt. However, the Egyptian Museum, as well as historic sites such as the Valley of the Kings also charges extra for camera tickets. Camera tickets are what allow visitors to take photos. Of course, you can try to take sneaky photos without the tickets but doing so may result in you getting removed from the museum, or your phone being confiscated, and the photos deleted. 

Entry ticket and camera ticket for the Egyptian Museum. Photo courtesy of Keelan Cashmore.

None of the differences between Egyptian and Canadian museum practices were major, but they were prominent enough for those of us in my tour group to notice and question them. Egyptian culture in general is quite different from North American culture. It takes some getting used to, but after being there for a couple of days you adjust quickly, and these customs become the norm.

It was amazing to me how accustomed I became to these practices. For example, I went to the ROM last week and was surprised at the number of artifacts that could not be touched! I also had to remind myself that I could take photos, and someone was not going to yell at me asking if I had a camera ticket. 

Hieroglyphs in the Valley of the Kings. Photo courtesy of Keelan Cashmore.

Overall, I had a lot of fun exploring Egypt and seeing how it differs from Canada! It is certainly a place I would recommend going if you have the chance. Pictures and descriptions can only go so far – nothing beats experiencing it yourself!