Museums across the country engage audiences across the sciences, arts, and humanities to create interdisciplinary experiences that help visitors understand our complex world. Learn how an art museum, living history museum, and science center expanded upon these efforts by connecting with content experts from outside their core disciplines and highlighting them at interdisciplinary programs. This project, part of Portal to the Public’s 3-year research study, developed a flexible framework adaptable for smaller or larger museums.

1. A Scientist Walks into an Art
Museum…
Partnering with Diverse Content Experts
for Cross-Disciplinary Programs

3. Portal to the Public: Connecting scientists
and visitors in science museums

4. Connecting scientists and visitors in science
museums art and history museums!

5. Connecting scientists artists & historians
and visitors in science museums!

6. Three Key Elements:
2. Leading professional development experiences to prepare content
experts for conversations in museum settings
1. Identifying and recruiting cross-disciplinary content experts
3. Hosting public programs that connect content experts and
visitors for meaningful, mission-supporting conversations

7. Identifying and Recruiting Cross-Disciplinary
Content Experts
Why recruit cross-disciplinary experts for your programming?
ARTISTS HISTORIANS SCIENTISTS

8. Professional Development Exercises
Exercises designed to challenge communication methods and encourage
participants to think outside of the box.
▪ All activities can be tailored to different kinds of content experts and to your
unique museum setting.
▪ Exercise #1 : Building a Common Vision
▪ Exercise #2: Mystery Box
▪ Exercise #3: Concept Mapping

10. How Can This Apply To Your Museum?
Customizable Planning Framework & Program Planning worksheets