Twelfth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

This grounded theory research is concerned with increasingly technology-mediated art museum experiences, and how technology can be used to enhance younger audiences’ engagement with artworks. It contributes to our understanding of various factors that influence the aesthetic experience of college students in the art museum setting. Overall, 102 undergraduate students from North Carolina State University voluntarily participated in the study. Findings reveal college students’ art museum expectations and preferences, and their aesthetic experience when observing modern and contemporary artworks. Surveys, video observations, interview, and think-aloud data were collected to understand behaviors when viewing the exhibition. Participants’ observations, thoughts, and interpretations when looking at artworks are analyzed to gain insights into how the younger audiences experience modern and contemporary art in museums. Through systematic analysis, they were found to examine and interpret art, and generate questions in three main categories: comprehensive, reflective, and naïve. Additionally, face-to-face interviews revealed that articulating and verbalizing the art-viewing experience positively influenced the participants’ museum visit.