Museum Design with, by, and for Children

Clare Murray studies children’s museum experiences. Clare is a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University, and holds an MEd in art in education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, an MA in early childhood education policy from Teachers College, and a BA in economics and Latin American studies from Colby College. She co-founded and leads a nonprofit art museum bus designed with/by/for young children in her home state of Connecticut, called cARTie (www.cARTie.org). Additionally, Clare is a two-time Fulbright Scholar – to Spain and Paraguay.

• List of Figures; Foreword by Sharon E. Shaffer; Endorsements; Acknowledgements; Preface; Chapter 1 – Introduction; Chapter 2 – The History of Museums and Museum Design; Chapter 3 – A Rationale for Including Children in Museum Design; Chapter 4 – In Italy: A unique case of the Reggio Emilia Approach informing museum design; Chapter 5 – In Mexico: One museum embraces constructivism and Reggio-inspired work in design; Chapter 6 – In Argentina: A look at how Tonucci and Freire inspire museum design with, by, and for children; Chapter 7 – In Australia: A culture that centers children, starting with research; Chapter 8 – In England: A new museum emerges through designerly learning with children; Chapter 9 – In Paraguay: Latin America’s newest museum explores different participatory approaches; Chapter 10 – Conclusion; Index.

“Museum Design With, By, and For Children offers a compelling vision for child-centered museum design. Murray introduces readers to innovative case studies from museums worldwide, demonstrating the transformative power of designing museums with our youngest community members.”~ Nicole Cromartie, Director of Learning and Engagement, Clyfford Still Museum, USA and co-author of Evaluating Early Learning in Museums: Planning for our Youngest Visitors (Routledge, 2021)“Museum Design With, By, and For Children by Clare Murray is a crucial and timely addition to the museum world. This book is a powerful reminder of children's rights within museum spaces in a landscape where children are often overlooked and not given the attention they deserve. They bring a unique perspective to the museum experience, often viewing exhibits with curiosity, creativity, and imagination. By involving children in the design and curation of museum spaces, museums can create more engaging and interactive exhibits that cater to the interests and needs of young visitors.As the book attests, collaborating with children can also help museums foster a sense of inclusivity and diversity within their spaces. By listening to the thoughts and ideas of children from different backgrounds and experiences, museums can ensure that their exhibits are accessible and relatable to a wide range of visitors. Additionally, involving children in the planning process can help museums create a more welcoming and child-friendly environment, making it easier for families to enjoy a meaningful and educational visit together.Overall, museums can enhance the visitor experience, promote creativity and innovation, and create a more inclusive and diverse cultural institution by welcoming the thoughts of children and collaborating with them to provide welcoming museum spaces. This book's overarching message is that museums must recognize the value of children's perspectives and actively involve them in shaping the future of museum spaces.Within Museum Design With, By, and For Children, we are introduced to a world where children's voices are heard and actively incorporated into the design of museum spaces. The success stories shared within these pages are truly inspiring. I believe this book will serve as a guiding light for museum administrators who are eager to involve children in their planning but may be unsure of where to start. A must-read for museum educators and arts administrators alike, this book marks an exciting beginning. I eagerly anticipate future publications from Clare Murray that showcase more museums embracing children's perspectives in their planning processes.”~ Kathy Danko McGhee, owner of First Encounters, LLC, an art studio that provides educational experiences for babies and toddlers.