Feb.1 – Interview: Elizabeth Keller

Friday 1st Feb
10am – 12pm

Interview: Elizabeth Keller, Education Program Coordinator (Miso & Nat, 5 mins)

Q: How familiar are the visitors (or students) with the vision of MF?
A: The artist residency program is not well known to the public. Less obvious, is the process behind the creation of the exhibitions and artist’s work. A behind the scenes story is something that Liz and her department are focusing on. Privacy issues are a concern, as is, how much information is provided to visitors with regard to finished pieces. This is because an over abundance of information prior to viewing an exhibition could detract from the experience visitors create when viewing the various exhibitions.

Q: How could we begin to think about compiling visitor experiences or work towards contributing to an ongoing conversation about visitor perceptions?
A: Placing a dynamic exhibition of diverse visitor comments and experiences could motivate more engagement with the installations. However, this must not be too influential so that others may form their own interpretations and understandings of the artists’ work.

General Comments: Erin & Mark (joined Carrie & Renna’s conversation)

- The public street signage for the MF is terrible
- 95% of visitors discuss having a positive experience at the MF while visiting the café or gift shop
- The MF is Barbara and Michael’s vision that each department aligns with at the MF.
- Visitors stay for about 15 minutes to watch the documentaries in the gift shop.
- The MF is not interested in holding evening drinks or social events, as it is not the perception they would like to project to the art community.
- Word of mouth is central to the idea and philosophy of the MF.
- Art at the MF is site specific that are designed with and for the artist as maker. Visitors are of secondary concern.
- A history concerning the archived art pieces of work exhibited at the MF is not a story they share with the public or tells enough.
- Erin and Mark feel that visitors often need to share and discuss their experiences after viewing the exhibitions.
- A contextual connection to the brand and philosophy of the MF is very important.