My topic, about young adult engagement in museums with regards to special events and programming, has been very interesting so far. I have found that several museums around the world are actually very concerned with the status of their engagement with this age group (19-35). There have also been studies done by large institutions like the
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum that include statistical information that is quite interesting to look at. For example, the largest age group attending their after hours events are from ages 24-26 at about 32% of their attendees. Other studies include surveys and more qualitative data which I will use as examples for when I begin to collect my own data.
As for the things I still need to know; I am interested in interviewing some of the local professionals that plan such events and see what their ideas about the success of their programs are. I would also like to see how I can link these experiences to a text that I have been reading called
The Great Good Place by Ray Oldenburg. In this book, he discusses the idea of a "Third Place" and I find it fascinating the connection that can be created between people and these "Third Places".
