Interactive Touring in Art Museums: Constructing Meanings and Creating Communities of Understanding

Abstract

Abstract This article quotes adult visitors to museums who have constructed their own interpretations of works of art when encouraged to do so by an art educator who facilitates group discussions rather than imparts historical information and interpretations formulated by scholars. The article provides examples of individuals making personal meanings of works of art. When visitors share their individual understandings of artworks with their touring group, they see artworks in unique ways, learn that their own way of seeing a work is not the only way, come to know the diversity of human reactions to the work of art and to life, and thereby aid the building of communities of understanding.