How to modify and implement art museum interactive strategies: Facilitating a meaningful experience for the adult visitor

The growing diversity of museum visitors has shifted art museums’ educational goals towards developing new ways for visitors to create meaningful experiences. Currently, the predominant method of instruction for adults relies on the lecture based format. The argument made in this study suggests that the interactive strategies used for children could be equally beneficial if applied to adults, provided these activities are designed specifically for adults. Based on the research, when interactive activities are made available to adults it is usually done through a “multi-generational” approach, inherently geared for adults accompanying children. To address this concern, the study surveyed the educational departments and programs of eight museums in Southern California. The results explore current educational trends and conclude with suggestions how museums can begin modifying and implementing interactive strategies for the adult visitor