Case study exploring the design and implementation of educational programs at the Krannert Art Museum through a human-centered design lens

The goal of this dissertation is to examine the educational program design at Krannert Art Museum (KAM) with a human-centered design (HCD) lens. While the postmodernist paradigm shift, progressive principles, large-scale social and educational shift brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent foregrounding of social justice issues have all affected museum studies practically, scholarship of the last few years has yet to articulate and synthesize how these aspects influence museum program design. In this sense, it is vital to examine the current design of programs and implementation of instructions at KAM, with the goal to bridge the gap in the literature and support the enacting of HCD principles in museum program design. This dissertation is a case study examining how museum program design can foster inclusive and inquisitive learning environments by providing meaningful experiences tailored to visitors’ needs. Extant research acknowledges museums, broadly, as informative institutions that provide opportunities for visitors to engage with self, others, and society. Their incorporation of diverse learning styles and encouragement of interdisciplinary investigations make museums unique places for informal learning beyond traditional classroom settings. Most importantly, as social-educational institutions in the twenty-first century, museums act as microcosms of society where visitors can address social issues collectively in a safe space, practice inquiry-based learning, and grow as members of society. Although there can be no universal model designated to fit all museums, this dissertation explores the program design process through the experience of museum educators at KAM and put forth a model representing possible ways of approaching art museum program design that will foreground diverse visitor experiences.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Curriculum and Instruction

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Yang, Sylvia (Ya-Hsuan)

Contributors dc:contributor

• Sanders-Smith, Stephanie
• Bresler, Liora
• Hetrick, Laura
• Tissenbaum, Michael

• Museum Education
• Human-centered Design
• Art Museum Education
• Pandemic
• Teaching And Learning

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Sylvia Yang

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120299

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F120299