Museum Techmuse

Play in exhibits: major design theme

Attended an event tonight at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester NY. Interesting to note that the museum has done a major refocusing of exhibits -- and rebranding of itself -- so that the focus is specifically on "play".  The museum has emerged as a national leader on this topic, reflected in its research and exhibits.

I especially appreciated that the museum included direct connections to nature in this mix. At the entrance, a gorgeous nature trail, and embedded deeper in exhibits, a butterfly garden.

The theme at the annual Association of Children's Museums conference this year also focused specifically on play.  It feels like the right time to take a closer look at play in exhibits -- play is something we often take for granted, assuming that we've incorporated it in exhibits. But we can push it further. I noted that the President of the Museum, G. Rollie Adams, mentioned not just "play," but "joyful play."
 

ARTISANworks: Art incubator in Rochester NY

Here's another museum-like space to add to my favorites: ARTISANworks in Rochester NY. In my books, it's on par with other extraordinary spaces I've seen over the years, including the City Museum in St. Louis and the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. It is simply a flabbergasting visual environment that reaches beyond traditional display and pulls you into a social, physical exploration of a unique space.

You walk in and are inundated with layer upon layer of art housed in an array of unique rooms in an old artillery factory covering a city block. Look left, right, up, around, and there are intriguing objects and works for you to visually engage with.  And it is designed to be a social space, earning much of its income from functions in rooms designed to add a pleasantly mind-bending twist to events. (The rooms include a firehouse with fire engine and pool tables, and a new rooftop garden which will eventually be year round).

Described as an "art incubator," ARTISANworks supports a wide community of artists whose works fill the space, including a dozen artists in residence. It is a delight to explore.