Open Forum

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

I've always said, "I don't know, but let me see if I can find out for you." And then I would ask a colleague for help.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

Dear All

Happy to see that continuing to learn is a part of what we do and that it is ok not to know the answer. And to then find out. I think we all should be comfortable with that. Keep the chatting going.

Thanks,

Rachel

I've always said, "I don't know, but let me see if I can find out for you." And then I would ask a colleague for help.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

I've always said, "I don't know, but let me see if I can find out for you." And then I would ask a colleague for help.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

I've always said, "I don't know, but let me see if I can find out for you." And then I would ask a colleague for help.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

Hi Rachel, 

I've been teaching for 20 years, an undergrad non-Western art history survey and cultures such as India do not have early written records such as the Indus Valley began in 3300 BCE. Although China has the longest recorded history, I tell them it's important to be aware of the translation sources and its a good teaching moment for bias awareness. That said, I tell them that it is a matter of interpretation, from scholars and non-experts alike. So if it's a question I can't answer, I am very curious to hear what they think and discuss with them validating their viewpoint and pointing them in a direction to explore more. It's one of the reasons I changed the traditional art history paper to write on an object in the museum to a first person report whereby they selected what to write about as long as it was in the content area of study. This expands the museum space  for wonder, speculating and play! What has come back to me has both astonished and humbled me. They leave the course with more self- confidence from pursuing and satisfying their curiosity and appreciation. Don't we all have the greatest job!

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

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Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
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A little late to this, but in my role I frequently get called to the front desk with a variety of questions my team doesn't have answers to, and sometimes neither do I! Usually I'd say something along the lines of "Hm. That is a great question! I'm not sure,  and but I want to get you the most accurate information. Let me see if I can find someone who can help answer that." Generally guests understand that we can't know everything, but appreciate our answer more when we try to help. In person we do sometimes default guests with specific concerns to a general email line or get their information so we have more time to find something for them. Usually, I tend to be curious myself and try to find the best answer I can to help them, or let them know I'd pass their question along to a certain individual or department. It helps to thank them for their patience, as they ask great questions.

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Meghan McCullough
Guest Experience Coordinator
Newfields
Indianapolis IN

Original Message:
Sent: 04-17-2024 02:09 PM
From: Rachel Alschuler
Subject: What would you do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too?

Dear All

I am wondering what any museum professional would do if a visitor asked a question you don't know the answer too. I am interested in the response and that it is ok nor know but to always be open to learning.

------------------------------
Rachel Alschuler
Museum Education/ Visitor Experience
San Francisco CA
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