RETHINKING PRACTICE: A GUIDE TO DESIGNING VISITOR-CENTERED EXPERIENCES IN ART EXHIBITIONS

Art exhibitions are informal learning environments that offer visitors wide-ranging possibilities for meaningful engagement with the arts. However, art exhibitions have been associated with social and cultural exclusion as specialized language in exhibition texts and labels may pose barriers to visitors unfamiliar with the art world. Through a multi-method approach, an empirical study was conducted to understand visitors' perceptions of their experience at an art exhibition in Guatemala City and the role of museum texts and labels. Findings revealed participants (n = 13) described their experience as connected to reflection, aesthetic appreciation, and peacefulness. The art exhibition had two types of labels. Participants perceived exhibition texts and labels both as too intellectual and oversimplified. Informed by an exploration of the literature focused on designing art exhibitions for specific purposes, this dissertation developed a guide for practice containing a framework for critical reflection, research-informed practice, and collaborative inquiry. The guide's purpose is to support practitioners by offering a tool to reflect on their work and consider the visitor as central to the process of designing an art exhibition