>but perhaps that is part of the problem. We who work in
art museums are very likely to be among the small
percentage that was graced with enough of whatever it takes
to be interested in and understand the depth of art. 

I think you might be on to something there. I can recall a
creative writing class where the question was posed: 'do
you have to be crazy to create a work of art?' and the
answer the professor gave was, 'no, but it helps.' Perhaps
the creation of art and it's appreciation resides in that
spark of talent that makes so many of the truly great
artists eccentric and wild. Yes, we understood it as
children, but then the world closed in and taught us math
and science and how to think logically, not creatively.
That spark got squashed. Those people who managed to retain
it, they are the ones who get art. And you musn't forget
that when the money is tight, art and music are the first
to go. What does that tell you about the importance placed
upon creativity? About our belief that students should have
creativity?

But who is to say that formal learning and it's science
based agenda is to blame? Now researchers are telling us
that our brains might not finish developing until we're 25.
They tell us that we become more aware of our mortality and
stop taking chances. I think that's something that anyone
who has made it to 30 can tell you. Maybe there is
something in the development of the brian that doesn't
close off like it does for most people. That spark, that
creativity. So, maybe its a lot of things, all contributing
to the lack of art museum attendance. 

Instead, maybe we can focus on those that our respective
museums CAN attract and make the experience more enriching
for them? However, I realize that most people, especially
those giving you money, like to look at quantity of
experiences and not the quality of them. So, I guess I
haven't helped so much as I've just hypothesized and
philosophized a bit.



=====
-----
Marie Morgan
Librarian, Archivist
Graham Library
Coffeyville Community College
Coffeyville, Kansas
(620) 252-7220
-----
Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water. 
- W. C. Fields

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).