Abstract

Not all museums welcome children as part of their main audience with open arms. Research suggests that experiencing museums as a child supports classroom learning and development, but only when the museums engage young children properly. This paper explores how incorporating multi-modal interactives into art museums can effectively engage children, ages 4 to 8, and build a foundation that supports lifelong learning. Drawing on ideas from early-childhood education, museum visitor-engagement studies, and interactivity sciences, this project results in a framework that guides art museums on how they can overlap play, interactives, and content to incorporate this age group effectively to foster an independent learning mindset. From analysis of interviews and museum visits, the findings of the study will suggest that art museums expand their scope to include younger audiences as well as encourage schools to incorporate museum visits into their curriculum to promote lifelong learning. The importance of this study is evident in the way that art education impacts children’s development into adult life. Incorporating art into the lives of young children supports their emotional and social growth, as well as allowing them to create a sense of belonging in society. With the integration of children into art museum spaces, museums can play a pivotal role in this development.

Publication Date

4-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Undergraduate

Degree Name

Museum Studies (BS)

College

College of Liberal Arts

Advisor

Juilee Decker

Advisor/Committee Member

Samaya Nasr

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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