Deutsches Historisches Museum - Verf�hrung Freiheit. Kunst in Europa seit 1945 - Blog

The story of a museum is written not only by its objects and exhibitions but also and foremost by its visitors. Without its visitors, as Jane put it, a museum is ‘just a room with beautiful paintings, sculptures and installations’. To fill it with life, you need people who are willing to experience what a museum has to offer. To bring the museum’s objects to life, you need someone who can tell their story. One of these people is Jane Meresmaa-Roos, who works at Kumu’s Art Education Programme.  

Q: When you have an exhibition like “Critique and Crises”, and you want to make an educational programme, where and how do you start? What's the process?

‘Well, usually we don’t know from the beginning what exhibits are going to be shown. I know what might be in the exhibition but I don’t really know. So I start from the idea. Our programmes are usually holistic. First I dig deep to the ground of the exhibition concept. As soon as I know from the curators what exhibits are to be shown, I go more into details. Walking through ‘Critique and Crises’, I have already found special art works that inspire me and then I can go deeper with them.’

Q: As museum educators you are the first to come into touch with the visitors, but are sometimes the last to know what will actually be in the exhibition. That opinion is often pronounced by museum educators. Would you agree with that?

‘Yes. Some two weeks ago I was in Berlin. So I also went to lots of museums and there I heard that they really appreciate educators because they bring in the new generation. They bring the guests to the museums – because, what is museum without visitors? Just a room with beautiful paintings, sculptures, installations, but no life in there. So, I really agree with them, with the Berlin museums and the educators there.’

Q: So, what would a typical tour for children be like? How would you go about if it is an art exhibition? Isn’t it hard to show to the kids what is behind the artworks without putting too much information on them?

'Well, our education programmes use active methods. Normally we ask questions which they can’t answer with “yes” or “no“, but they have to answer and go inside – or behind the picture, or behind the installation. It gives more work to the brain, to the fantasy. The education programmes are typically 90 minutes long and it means that we are one hour in the in the exhibition hall and after that we go to the atelier where we are doing the creative part. So the creative part is directly connected to the exhibition.’

Q: What are your thoughts on the title of the exhibition?

‘I liked the Berlin title ‘Desire for Freedom’. The Estonian title ‘Critique and Crises’ is difficult for children. So maybe we are going to change it a bit for the educational programme, to make it more attractive for children. But then we can use ‘Critique and Crises’ for the youngsters’ programmes, because it stimulates communication. It makes you think: what is going on with the crisis?’

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What we did not ask: If she also visited the German Historical Museum during her stay in Berlin.

What might also interest you: Kumu Art Museum has been awarded ‘European Museum of the Year 2008’. This award is given to museums that attract visitors with ‘innovative concepts, unique atmosphere, imaginative presentation, a creative approach to education, and social responsibility.’

What you could do: When you go to Kumu, say ‘Hello’ to Jane for us and definitely participate in one of those tours of her and her colleagues!

Want to know what her colleague Philippe Carasco at the German Historical Museum had to say? Click here!