A treasure trove to be discovered

PAM Explorer Ideas

Here are my first ideas for the scavenger hunt idea. I realize none of this is in stone. For the grad project the research behind the activity and an outline of a proposed activity will suffice. Though I would like to test the thing out at some point if the time and interest allow.

Right now I see three components. The passport to gather stamps stickers some form of merit for completing questions perhaps a block of questions earns a stamp, instead of everyone earning a stamp. The treasure map/explorer handout featuring the questions, perhaps a map to lead the participants through the galleries to be used. The stamps or stickers to be collected. Another option if it is to be stamps, the stamps could go directly on the handout and it could be folded into a passport or booklet later.

One of the ideas is to get away from the typical scavenger hunt format which can be frantic frenzied activities. So I thought the explorer idea might work to shift it conceptually and encourage detective or archaeologist like examination of the collection to find the hidden treasures in it.

Having wandered the museum a few times now, I have a few ideas for a rough scavenger hunt using the collection. First of all, I think it will work and have picked a few pieces and made notes on them.  All with the idea of getting kids to focus on the details. For example, one task might be in ancient China find the flying horse. It is on a tiny little silver piece in a display case. Since it is way in the back they will for sure have to pass through the whole gallery. Further, it doesn’t jump right out like some of the other pieces.

One idea I was bouncing off my advisor was to include some sensory clues, such as sound, motion, or smell. For example, "imagine if you could tap this large metal piece what would it sound like?" They could provide a brief description as imaginative as they want to be. 

Also for the Calder work a question might be, "what is this piece intended to do that no other work in this gallery is supposed to do?” So hopefully they imagine the work moving after studying it.

Calder work at the PAM

I think it would be great if the handout explorer form had a few blank areas for the participants to sketch some of the works. For example, I thought it would be fun for the kids answer the question which work in the Steel Mill Gallery is made of fir wood. After finding it, then ask them to draw the Leroy Setziol work made of fir. It is simple whimsical form that might have been overlooked but hopefully the participants will have a connection to the work after spending time with it. 

Oregon artists Gallery

There are a few other pieces I think that might work for similar ideas. This way a few drawings could be posted on the museum website in a gallery showcasing past school group visits.

student works from the MIM 

I currently have about 15 ideas using the permanent collection from the Asian, Middle Eastern works through to modern works and ending with the Native American collection in the second building. In this first pass I attempted to use every gallery of the permanent collection. This may prove too extensive. As stated none of this is certain or finished it is all in the planning brainstorming phase.

Let me know what you think.

Jonathan

So my veterans program was a success and I learned a wide variety of things due to putting it on. Unfortunately it did not work for my capstone project and I am back at the drawing board attempting to put together another research proposal.

Having moved to Portland I reached out to the Portland Art Museum (PAM) about working with them. They have been receptive, and after a few conversations, two plans have emerged one of which will be used for my new research proposal.

The main idea will be a sort of scavenger hunt, but of a more thoughtful nature. The idea will be to slow students down to look more closely notice details about the permanent collection. It was suggested some sort of merit system be used.

Right now I have researched stickers as a cheap option that might go into a little passport type item. Or a stamp more like a passport with a small message, “I am PAM art explorer!” etc..

The goal would be to receive all the stamps or stickers in their book. Perhaps it could be used for other visits or art events, for example if they attend on their own or with their family they might get a stamp for that too.

Art Explorer character to be 

featured on the handouts as a kind of logo for the project tying into the passport merit idea.