Today's Museum visitors are worried about what the future will bring. They are concerned with divisive issues from climate change to immigration.
This presentation shares an approach to leveraging our historic stories as a foundation for open and safe discussions about the 21st century challenges that we, as a global community, are facing.
“To be, or not to be? That is the question—Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And, by opposing, end them?
Are you ready to pick a side?
Do we need to pick a side if we open the door to controversy?
How can we control the conversation?
How can we compete with the fast paced digital entertainment of the 21st century?
By ensuring that the stories we share are powerful, authentic and relevant.
How can Living History Museums and Historic Sites link the past with our present lives and address our concerns for the future?
You can give 10 people the same facts and ask them to tell a story. Each person’s story will be different. The stories will be infused with each person's perspective, their cultural biases, and their personal baggage.
Instead of being authorities lets become collaborators.
Collaborative storytelling is designed to include a multiplicity of truths; creating a conversation which deepens both the audience's and our own understanding.
Program Design Process
Our Goal: to share the story telling responsibilities with our visitors
"What if they are reluctant?'
Tap into the senses—We want our visitors to connect with our story. We connect through our senses (Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste and Touch) so our story should be designed to maximize their impact.
Reveal role play fundamentals—We want to employ multiple truths. We need to find opportunities for our visitors to explore other perspectives. We want our audience to be able to step into another person’s shoes and walk around a bit.
Unearth common ground—We all share basic needs beneath the layers of culture, religion and community. We have physiological needs (eat, sleep, shelter). We have a need to feel safe and secure. We have a need to form our own identity. We have a need to connect and belong. We have a need for recognition.
Talk through the biases—We all have biases whether they are conscious or unconscious. We can’t be afraid to explore our own biases. If we have the courage to face and share them, they can be leveraged to encourage others to do the same.
Harness the Question—We need to make the shift from author to collaborator. Our role is not to provide answers, it is to ask questions. Let the questions do the work. If we are successful, the story we share will encourage consideration and conversation.
Employ Socratic Questioning
- Have you ever been in a situation like this?
- How was this similiar to your situation?
- How was it different?
- How did you feel in that situation?
- What do you think other's felt?
- What actions did you take?
- What was the result of those actions?
- Is there anything that you would do differently?
Expect the unexpected! Allow the visitor to become the teacher!
