Meet Carol Rehtmeyer, an accomplished business professional hailing from Texas, with a wealth of experience in non-profit leadership, fundraising, and organizational growth and development. With an impressive background, Carol Rehtmeyer has been a driving force in propelling growth in small and medium-sized business ventures. As a visionary leader, Carol has been an integral part of numerous organizations. Currently, she holds the position of Executive Director for the Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor at the UT Dallas Naveen Jindal School of Management. Her expertise has also been sought as an Accreditation Peer Reviewer by the American Alliance of Museums, and as a Grant Reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Carol's commitment to the community is evident through her extensive involvement with various boards and advisory positions. She actively serves on the Board of Directors for the Corpus Christi Ballet, Bailando Dance Festival, and Congregation Beth Israel. Additionally, she plays a crucial role on the Advisory Boards for The Art Museum of South Texas and the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Her passion for empowering women and building strong networks led her to become a member of Leadership Texas Women and Leadership Corpus Christi (Class 42). With a stellar track record, Carol has also contributed her expertise as a Licensing and Product Development Advisor for prestigious names such as National Geographic and Fisher-Price. Carol’s dedication and accomplishments have made a profound impact on the realms of non-profit organizations, business ventures, and the cultural landscape. Her unwavering commitment to growth and development continues to inspire and empower businesses and communities alike. In the following article, Rehtmeyer unravels the secrets behind ensuring genuine and immersive encounters for every visitor who roams the halls of museums. From thought-provoking installations to innovative storytelling, an explanation of how the intricate strategies weave together to create unforgettable encounters. Authenticity. Empathy. Overall connectedness. These are all the feelings museum visitors want to experience when wandering through the exhibit-lined halls. But the question many curators and owners have is how can they deliver such experiences for their audience? While understandably a tricky question to conjure an answer, experts shed light on a few strategies that help museums connect with their audiences and deliver authentic adventures through history.

Letting Artists Share Their Story in Their Own Words

Storytelling, (both online and inside exhibits) is a fantastic way to engage people and connect them to museum collections. However, this engagement and levels of authenticity skyrocket when the stories are told in the artist's own words. Carol Rehtmeyer of TX notes that of course, this isn't always possible — many museums only hold collections from the distant past. Exhibits involving living artists, though, can invite them to speak in person, via a live stream, or on looped screens throughout the museum.

Creating Social Media Challenges

Social media is a powerful tool in the modern world, allowing museums to connect directly to current and potential visitors. One of the best ways to leverage it is through challenges requiring audience participation. The trick is to make them simple. Easy asks will almost always get a response, whereas complicated tasks are unlikely to be so fruitful. A great example of such a challenge, wherein the audience was challenged to craft one-minute sculptures in the spirit of Erwin Wurm's "One Minute Sculptures" photography series.

Moving Beyond the Screens: Encouraging Real-Life Participation

Such interactive experiences don't have to stay behind the screens. Museums can (and should) invite their audiences to participate in real life projects. By allowing visitors to take part, projects and exhibits go from being merely understood to shared initiatives. And that's exhilarating for not just the audiences, but the museum as a whole. In 2016, the Worcester Art Museum (WAM) ran a project dubbed Meow, a homage to cats, and featured an open call to those who wanted to feature their cat-themed artwork. The result? 230 masterpieces brought forth by the museum's community. From drawings to digital works to photographs to sculptures to paintings to more, it became the biggest audience engagement project the museum ran. Never underestimate the power of simply inviting visitors to put their own stamp on a project or exhibit. The results can be truly heartwarming and ensures museum doors can stay wide open.

Using Website Homepages to Address Current Needs

Carol Rehtmeyer of TX says that ensuring open lines of communication with visitors is essential. Part of doing that, involves continuously refreshing online assets to ensure audiences' needs are addressed. Those who are unsure about what their followers want should consider crafting a focus group or running a survey. The outcome will shape future content and ensure everybody feels excited and welcomed when they next walk through the entrance.

Including Unexpected Video and Audio Content

Aligning with the above, many museums have found supplementing traditional audio narratives beneficial. It's something that isn't necessarily expected by exhibit wanderers, adding an extra layer of excitement and authenticity to their trip. A prime example is the National Museum of Wildlife Art's app. Developed with deepening learning experiences in mind, the mobile application allows visitors to hear wild animal calls to supplement their visual experience. Likewise, the web app created for the San Diego Archaeological Center includes video demos of ancient weapons. Carol Rehtmeyer of TX says that regardless of the museum type, there are countless ways to include content that will educate and delight audiences.

Diving Into the Limitless World of Out-of-the-Box Activities

Many museums are caught up in a tour-filled rut. While they can be educational and somewhat-fulfilling, audiences fail to experience the true connection required for authentic experiences. Thus, they miss the mark. Offering out-of-the-box activities affords newfound audience participation methods for increased connectedness. The Norman Rockwell Museum, for instance, hosts a museum scavenger hunt, allowing audience members to engage more profoundly with the exhibit and/or tour material. But Musée McCord has chosen a different route. They aren't just providing tours inside the museum; they're taking visitors outside the walls and into the historic landscape of downtown Montreal for unbridled involvement.