Twelfth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

Dance and museum sectors have traditionally existed independently. Recently, however, a cross-sectoral collaboration has started growing rapidly. This paper investigates the innovative ways in which contemporary dance is being employed in museum settings, to facilitate new forms of audience engagement and participation. By employing a case-study approach, this study closely investigated the Dancing Museums project (2015-2017) - a partnership between museums and dance organisations across Europe co-funded by the EU’s Creative Europe programme. In which ways can dance, as a performative art, be used in museums as an educational and active participation tool? This research question was answered through collecting primary qualitative and quantitative data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key actors involved in the Dancing Museums project, whilst an evaluation carried out with events’ participants was studied through employing statistical methods. The project’s findings showed that the approach of combining dance and visual arts was beneficial for the institutions studied and successful in terms of public’s outcomes. The research demonstrated that dance, interpreted as a language and communicative form, is an effective alternative (or supplementary) medium to the verbal and written communication that museums traditionally employ. By tactfully employing dance, the project’s partners can help audiences to create their own meanings and interpretations through enhancing their understanding of arts. The paper argues that dance, as a kinaesthetic art, can enable museums to deeply engage with diverse audiences, especially kinaesthetic learners, and enrich the museum visitors’ journey; it can transform museum visitation into a more experiential, multisensorial and inclusive experience.