Fine Art in a Science Museum: Black Creativity and Extreme Ice

• In Event: 63.064 - Measuring the Impact of Emotions in Informal Learning Environments

Abstract

Objectives: In the current study, we investigate the effects of a non-science-based fine art exhibition on guests at a science museum. For approximately one month, a large science center hosted a fine art exhibition called Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition (BCArt). BCArt displays art by local African American artists in a variety of media. In an experimental study, examine how attendance at a fine art exhibit may impact how guests experience a subsequent science exhibit.

Perspectives: Science and art museums are typically separate institutions. In the rare case that science and art content are combined in one event, individuals tend to attend the event either for the science content or the art content, but not both (von Roten & Moeschler, 2007). However, integration of art and science tends to be appreciated when it does happen (von Roten & Moeschler, 2007) or is something that is perceived as desirable (Turkka, Haatainen, & Aksela, 2017). In the current study, we examine emotional impact as the possible explanation for the perceived value of integrating art and science.

Methods: Guests 18 years of age and older were recruited to participate in our study. Guests were randomly assigned to either attend the art exhibition (Art); a science museum exhibit called Extreme Ice, which explores and documents the effects of climate change on glaciers (Ice); or visit BCArt and then Extreme Ice (Both). After guests explored one or both of the exhibits, we administered a survey asking guests about their experience in the exhibit(s). Overall, 163 guests participated in the study.

Data Sources: We focus our analyses on the Dimensions of Visitor Experience (DOVE; Packer & Ballantyne, 2016; Packer, Ballantyne and Bond, under review), which consists of several questions asking people to assess their feelings and emotions. Guests are provided with prompts such as, “I felt:” and then supplied with several options including: sociable, active, and observant. Guests may select as many options as they like. We selected a relevant subset of the DOVE to include in our survey.

Results:The approximately 60 emotions we provided from the DOVE are organized into 11 dimensions (factors), e.g. personal growth, aesthetic appreciation, and togetherness. Of the 11 dimensions within the DOVE that we included on the survey, 3 showed a marginal to significant difference between the Both and Ice groups. Guests rated Both as marginally significantly higher in personal growth than Ice alone (β=.84, p<.1). Similarly, guests indicated they felt more peaceful after having attended Both as compared to Ice (β=.87, p<.05). On the other hand, guests reported lower levels of reflection for Both as compared to Ice (β=-.75, p<.01).

Significance: Using a comparison study design, we show how attending an art exhibition affected the emotional state of guests who subsequently went through a science exhibit. These results begin to recognize the unique effects of integrating non-science art into a science museum.

Authors

• Lauren R Applebaum, Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago

• C. Aaron Price, Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago

• Jana Greenslit, Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago