When the museum cares: insights from museum mediation staff on a school visit experience

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5965/25944630922025e7017

Keywords:

Museum education, Cultural mediation, School visits, Ethics of care

Abstract

This article examines the experience of museum mediation staff in a school-at-the-museum project conducted with the alternative school Le Vitrail in Montreal (2022-2023). Drawing on Joan Tronto’s concept of care, it analyzes the relationships between museum mediators, teachers, and students. The study highlights the development of meaningful connections, increased academic motivation, and students’ progressive appropriation of museum spaces. It also underscores tensions inherent to the care process, particularly due to conflicting needs among stakeholders, resource limitations, and logistical constraints. By rethinking the museum as a relational space, this article emphasizes the importance of establishing long-term engagement with museums to foster inclusive practices tailored to the needs of school audiences.

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Author Biographies

Annie-Pier Brunelle, Université de Montréal

Annie-Pier Brunelle holds a master’s degree in public communication and is currently a master’s student in museology at the Université de Montréal. She is also a student member of the Research Group on Education and Museums (GREM).

Anik Meunier, University of Quebec in Montreal

Anik Meunier is a Professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal, specializing in education and museology. She leads the Research Group on Education and Museums (GREM). Her work focuses particularly on issues related to museum education. She is also the founder and director of the “Culture et publics” collection at Presses de l’Université du Québec.

Mylène Landry, University of Quebec in Montreal

Mylène Landry holds a master’s degree in museology and is the Program Assistant for Young Audiences at the Canadian Centre for Architecture. She is an associate member of the Research Group on Education and Museums (GREM).

References

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Published

2025-06-01

How to Cite

BRUNELLE, Annie-Pier; MEUNIER, Anik; LANDRY, Mylène. When the museum cares: insights from museum mediation staff on a school visit experience. Revista de Ensino em Artes, Moda e Design, Florianópolis, v. 9, n. 2, p. 1–19, 2025. DOI: 10.5965/25944630922025e7017. Disponível em: https://revistas.udesc.br/index.php/ensinarmode/article/view/27017. Acesso em: 31 jul. 2025.