The Mattress Factory is always interested in engaging new
audiences and thinking about creative ways for our visitors to engage deeply
with our collection and the idea of space. We are also interested in thinking
about technology and using it as a tool to challenge visitors to think and
experience our space in new ways. This has led to a new project that is made
possible by an IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) Sparks! Ignition
grant. The first phase of the project is research and content development for
an iPad application called You Are The
Artist! for children ages three to six years old.
The app will encourage young people to “think like an
artist.” The app we will build is not going to be a tool to quiet and entertain
students. Instead it will require engagement between the child and parents,
grandparents or siblings. The app will also ask the child to look more closely
at the world around them and begin to understand how different spaces make them
feel and how they can impact the space around them in the world.
We have just begun our research and are very excited about
the enthusiasm and response we have received from our community. Many families
have graciously donated their time to come and visit the museum and speak with
our Museum Educators about that experience. We also hosted an Educator Evening
where we invited Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers to tour the galleries and give
us feedback about how they think their students would respond to our permanent
installations.
We hope to learn more about the questions that parents, students
and teachers have for each other while experiencing the Mattress Factory
installations. We are gaining a fuller understanding of the learning that takes
place in the galleries and how we can deepen that conversation through an iPad
app.
The Education Team also hopes to use this valuable research
and create other programs and materials for this age group. Experiencing the
Mattress Factory at such a young age is an incredible experience and we hope to
have more programming focused for 3-6 year olds soon.
In the meantime, if you are interested in helping us with
our study, have been to the Mattress Factory and have young children, please
take a moment to fill out a brief questionnaire.
--Felice Q. Cleveland, Director of Education
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