Missing! Visitor Service in Art Museums If found, please call...
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Authors
Arens, Meghan
Issue Date
2004
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The importance of visitor, service and a visitor-centered museum cannot be underestimated. Attention, or inattention, to visitors has a direct effect on the museum's bottom line and the ability to fulfill an educational and access-driven mission. After all, where is a museum without visitors?
Therefore, the purpose of this master's project is to inform art museum professionals about the role that visitor service plays in creating the overall visitor experience and the sustainability of art museums. In what follows, I will assess the state of visitor service in United States art museums, share results with customer care experts, and provide recommendations for improvement. This information is particularly relevant to museums that recognize the importance of being visitor-centered yet do not know how to implement a successful visitor service model within their institution. It is important to note that, although marketing, public relations and museum websites are important factors influencing visitation, for the purpose of providing an in-depth review, this study is centered on visitor service within the museum. Since I focus on art museums 31 within the United States, I surveyed art museums to determine the state of visitor service within contemporary institutions, interviewed museum professionals throughout the U.S. who have created successful visitor service models, and researched the history of visitor service within museums and reviewed current literature on visitor service strategies. I hope that the results of my project can be used as a tool for museum professionals to use when implementing a visitor service plan. The results of the project include a workshop on how to create a successful visitor service model.