Adult audience engagement: learning in the public exhibition space

Programming and education have been continually linked to the functionality of public art museums. The focus, traditionally, has been on school, family, or community groups, with specific pedagogy designed to augment formal learning through education kits, training for teachers, and school holiday programs. These are a primary focus for the metrics and evaluation of successful service to the public by art museums and a further opportunity to market specific exhibits and shows to identifiable sectors. Public-display organisations can go further to provide adult visitors with a creative and self-driven approach to both temporary and permanent exhibitions. Life-wide and lifelong learning have been identified as important in a dynamic and shifting milieu, and opportunity exists for art museums to devise programs for adult visitors that provide connection, empowerment, and possibilities for meaningful communication. The paths taken by the visitor as participant can be challenging, with disparate narratives and focus pulling terminology and technology while navigating the environment.