Museums as Progress (MaP)

We're grateful to have Rosie Siemer share her expertise in this final installment examining survey response rates. Rosie's thorough analysis covers how museums can use mobile optimization and multiple distribution channels to gather more representative audience feedback, addressing common challenges in collecting survey data and providing guidance on selecting appropriate survey methods based on institutional goals. Key topics covered: - Mobile-first survey design principles - Distribution channel considerations - Survey method selection frameworks - Real-time feedback collection strategies https://lnkd.in/e8DTygnW

When Dr. John Falk received a National Science Foundation grant to study why African Americans were underrepresented at science centers, he discovered something unexpected: There was greater diversity in attitudes within the Black community than between Black and White communities. This insight helped shape his approach to understanding museum audiences. Recently, Falk joined MaP Founder Kyle Bowen to discuss: - Why demographic data limits museums' understanding - Key findings from Falk's interviews with museum leaders  - A process for becoming more user-focused Watch the discussion or read the summary: https://lnkd.in/erQkK229

Join Krista Kusuma and Kyle Bowen on November 21 for a conversation with Aubrey Bergauer about building customer-centric cultural organizations. Bergauer will discuss key insights from her book "Run It Like a Business," drawing from her experience doubling audience size and quadrupling donor base at the California Symphony. The session includes: - 20-minute interview on customer-centric approaches - Small group discussions on implementing relevance principles - Full group Q&A and reflection Free, open to all museum professionals Register: https://lnkd.in/eQfts2Mh

Today in The Progress Report, John Falk shares practical insights on measuring museum value and impact drawn from research spanning thousands of museum users. Falk responds to questions from our community members, including: - How do we quantify value? - How can we best investigate the impact our Science Center is having on more diverse audiences? - How can smaller museums gather data and analyze data with a small staff? Read the full post here: https://lnkd.in/ez8e5k77 This article previews the themes we'll explore in our 2025 program, combining Progress-Space Research with the Value Realization Process. Museum professionals can learn more at https://lnkd.in/eEa7NR8N

Traditional professional development for museums often follows a familiar pattern: Staff attend conferences and return inspired but struggle to implement lasting change. Since 2020, we've been iterating on an alternative called the MaP Community, which focuses on continuous learning and practical application. Find our latest thinking and offerings here: https://lnkd.in/eaScPM83

Heat maps help answer common questions about visitor behavior: Do people read thematic labels? How long do visitors spend with specific objects? Do they move through spaces as intended? Our new course with Erin Wilcox shows museums how to: - Create data collection protocols for their spaces - Build heat maps that visualize visitor behavior - Measure the effects of changes to exhibits - Document findings to inform future decisions Learn more about the course: https://lnkd.in/e8k45mDa Through November 15th, institutions that register for a new Museum Membership receive free access to this course for their staff. Learn more about Museum Membership: https://lnkd.in/eKFxfRW3

Demographics and Goals: Why Rethinking Audience Engagement Isn’t an Either/Or Proposition This week on The Progress Report: - How to engage diverse audiences using both demographic data and goal-based strategies - Practical approaches to meeting funder needs while serving community goals - Ways to introduce new metrics without abandoning traditional reporting Read the full post: https://lnkd.in/emtCPfZ6

Rosie Siemer shared part 2 of her series on boosting museum survey response rates with MaP members this week. This installment covers: - Using incentives effectively - Optimizing survey length - Ensuring respondent privacy The post examines how these factors can impact participation and data quality, and offers practical considerations for museum professionals designing audience surveys. Well done, Rosie! Preview the article and join to read the full series here: https://lnkd.in/eQqBPQjt

Hi museum friends! If you’ve been thinking about community building and peer-to-peer learning, online or in-person, I’d love for you to join me and Kyle Bowen of Museums as Progress (MaP) on November 13 for a conversation about the recent documentary Join or Die Film. Join or Die tells the story of social scientist Robert Putnam and his research for the groundbreaking book Bowling Alone (2000), which powerfully showed how, over the past several decades, Americans have become increasingly disconnected from each other. Through vast data including nearly 500,000 interviews, it documented our declining rates of participation in communities of all kinds—think PTAs, churches, bowling leagues, picnics—and demonstrated the impacts on economic, social, and personal well-being. The film features insights from folks like US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Priya Parker, as well as groups (re-)building community in neighborhoods across the country, and urges viewers to once again become “joiners.” The film and book address associations, memberships, and clubs in institutions like churches, schools, and libraries, but I’d love to think about how peer-to-peer community building applies in museums as well. If that interests you—and if you like a good documentary!—watch the film and join us on Nov. 13 to chat about this with a great group of museum peers. BYO popcorn 🍿 Register at https://lnkd.in/guEPTChU 

How can museums build meaningful connections within their communities? On November 13, we’re hosting a discussion on museums and social capital, examining: - The documentary “Join or Die” - Robert Putnam’s research on community connections - Practical applications for cultural institutions Join Community Builder Kelly Cannon and MaP Founder Kyle Bowen at 12pm ET on November 13: https://lnkd.in/evQcit7T