Overview

Traditionally a gulf separated artists from audiences, but over the last few decades, there has been a marked expansion in the definition of what might constitute as a work of art through the introduction of new media. In light of these major paradigm shifts, the panelists will draw on their individual activities and initiatives at their respective institutions to present some of the varying approaches they have deployed to bring artists into more intimate contact with their audiences. Other questions and issues that will be discussed include: how does an art institution build and expand its audience? What role do museum education departments play in this process? How is this role transformed by the increasing adoption of pedagogical strategies by artists themselves? How might institutions leverage artists and their practices to engage groups or communities who do not usually enter their spaces? What are the risks and rewards of such initiatives?