Kera Collective

Recently, our team members Cathy and Rachel visited the National Museum of American History to conduct interviews with visitors as part of a front-end evaluation for a new temporary exhibition being developed by the Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Center (APAC). This new exhibition will explore the question, "What does it mean to be Filipino in America?" by showcasing personal possessions found in steamer trunks from the earliest wave of Filipino workers who arrived in the U.S. Cathy and Rachel's interviews were essential for gathering visitor reactions to APAC's preliminary concepts, helping to shape the exhibition’s narrative. What's unique about APAC is that it's not a traditional museum with a physical building. Instead, they work with Smithsonian museums to ensure the stories they tell are enriched by the perspectives of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. This temporary exhibition will be hosted at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History , which made it the perfect setting for these insightful conversations. We’re excited to be part of a project that highlights such a significant and underrepresented history. #MuseumEvaluation #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth #CommunityEngagement #ExhibitionDesign #AsianAmericanVoices

This month’s Moment of Wonder, The Sound of the Golden Hour, comes from our Director, Stephanie. “Whenever I want to ground or center myself, I latch onto sounds. Sounds remind me where I am at any given moment and the expansiveness of all that is around me (as opposed to being lost in thought or stuck in a small sense of self). I learned this trick in a meditation class.  Paying attention to my breath never worked for me, but sounds do. Any sound can work —like right now, I can focus on my washing machine whirring in the background and instantly I’m brought to here and now. My favorite sounds are of nature, and one that comes to mind now is the sound of insects during dusk in late summer.  Unfortunately, I can’t attach a sound here, so a photo of my backyard during Golden Hour will have to suffice. The light is lovely, of course, but you’ll have to use your imagination to hear the insects.” #MomentOfWonder

Heading to the Museum Computer Network Conference at the Spencer Museum of Art in Lawrence, Kansas next week? So is Cathy Sigmond! 🎉 From October 22-24, Cathy will be joining fellow museum professionals to explore the latest trends in digital transformation, technology, and innovation within the museum sector. Whether you’re attending a session, panel, or networking event, don’t miss the chance to connect with Cathy to exchange ideas and insights on how we can shape the future of museum experiences. We hope to see you there! https://lnkd.in/ebAEUUK8 #MCN2024 #MuseumInnovation #DigitalTransformation #MuseumTechnology

🔍 Museums rely on data to connect with their audiences, but not all data is created equal. That’s why we’ve put together two guides to help museum professionals navigate both their quantitative and qualitative data. 10 Things to Know About Quantitative Data: A Guide for Museum Practitioners offers practical tips on how to leverage numbers to gain actionable insights—think visitor surveys, attendance stats, and timing studies. It’s your go-to for making data-driven decisions. 📍https://lnkd.in/gq3AK8iK Numbers Aren't Everything: 6 Things to Know About Qualitative Data dives into capturing the rich stories and experiences behind the numbers. From focus groups to in-depth interviews, learn how to unlock deeper meanings that can transform your approach to audience engagement. 📍https://lnkd.in/eK_tQR48 Get the full scoop on both types of data and how they can complement each other in your work!

Last month Katie and Cathy presented the results of their Four-Season Visitor Study to the executive team at the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG). 🎉 This nearly two-year project involved a mix of exit surveys and seasonal observations to understand visitor experiences across three key areas: the Conservatory, Gated Outdoor Gardens, and Bartholdi Fountain and Gardens. A standout feature of this study was the use of cluster analysis for audience segmentation by psychographics, which helped USBG gain deeper insights into what its visitors value most. While in DC, they also visited the Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond exhibition, organized by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC) and hosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. After assisting APAC with testing ideas for public and education programming for Sightlines earlier this year, both Katie and Cathy said seeing the final product firsthand was a rewarding experience. #UnitedStatesBotanicGarden #SmithsonianAmericanArtMuseum #SmithsonianAsianPacificAmericanCenter #AudienceCentered

This month we explore three resources that are focused on expanding perspectives and ensuring that different voices and needs are heard—whether it's women in design, underrepresented groups in Census data, or Gen Z in historical programming. 📍Women-Centric Design Handbook, by Unconform https://lnkd.in/g5g7gcA7 📍Mapping Response Rates for a Fair and Accurate 2020 Census https://lnkd.in/dG66g5E 📍How Gen Z Wants to Celebrate America’s 250th by John Dichtl https://lnkd.in/gTZBFuyT #InclusiveDesign #RepresentationMatters #WomenInDesign #Census2020 #GenZVoices

Curious about how to create more meaningful, audience-centered experiences? At Kera Collective, our Experience Design Research service helps you understand your audience's needs, behaviors, and motivations to shape exhibits and programs that truly resonate. From in-depth user interviews to immersive field studies, we use proven research methods to ensure your experiences engage, educate, and inspire. Discover how we can help you unlock insights that transform your organization's approach to design: https://lnkd.in/ebp2-e4C #AudienceCentered #Museums #MuseumExhibits #ExperienceDesignResearch 

Exciting news! Ebony and Stephanie will be attending the Association for Art Museum Interpretation Annual Convening in New York City from October 10 - 11! They’ll be diving into two days of professional development, interdisciplinary panels, and in-gallery exploration—alongside peers who are shaping the future of art museum interpretation. This convening is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to exchange best practices, engage in dynamic roundtable discussions on key issues, and explore new ideas through rapid-fire case studies. If you’re attending, don’t miss the chance to connect with them! We’re looking forward to insightful conversations and fresh perspectives that will help advance this important work. See you in NYC! https://lnkd.in/d9ZWYrfy #MuseumInterpretation #ProfessionalDevelopment #ArtMuseums

Is summative evaluation worth it? In our latest Learning Hub article by Amanda Krantz, we take a closer look at the role of summative evaluation in museums. While it helps assess impact, is it always the best use of resources? Amanda highlights three key considerations: 💸 Money: With costs ranging from $25,000 to hundreds of thousands, is the return on investment for summative evaluation justified, especially when it has little direct influence on the project being evaluated? ⌚ Time: From evaluators to museum practitioners to participants, summative evaluation takes significant time. In today’s world, where time is a valued commodity, are we making the most of it? 🌱 Growth & Learning: Evaluation should be a tool for learning, but is the wider museum field truly benefiting from the cross-project reviews and literature advocated by NSF? Amanda wraps up the article with two thought-provoking questions for you to consider: ➡️Is a summative evaluation (for exhibitions, programs, projects, etc.) worth it in your opinion? Why or why not?  ➡️What type of evaluation, summative or otherwise, feels worth it to you? Why? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gpVUKRCs #Museums #Evaluation #MuseumEvaluation #SummativeEvaluation

We are proud to share that we’ve been working alongside the American Alliance of Museums and the National Park Service (NPS) to support their Community Engagement Program. Our team collaborated on a needs assessment to help NPS deepen its connections with diverse communities, build stronger partnerships, and expand access to the nation's parks. It’s been an eye-opening experience to engage with passionate NPS staff and see the potential of the Community Engagement Program to create meaningful change. We are excited for the next steps as the program continues to take shape and grow its impact. Learn more about this project here: https://lnkd.in/giaKy8fD #CommunityEngagement #Museums #NationalParks #AudienceResearch