| This study investigates the role of the art museum educator in internal collaborations with other museum staff, in external collaborations with outside institutions, and in evaluating collaborations of all kinds. Using data from a nationwide survey of accredited museums and from personal interviews, the findings present the state of collaborative practice among art museum educators. The results indicated that participants collaborate frequently; having greater confidence in straightforward external collaborations than in more nuanced collaborations with fellow museum staff. In reported collaborations, participants reaped the major benefit of improved program content and overcame the primary obstacles of limited staff time and resources. Respondents claimed to value evaluation but often did not often fully evaluate collaborative projects due to lack of opportunity or limited perceived usefulness of results. By focusing on the dynamics of collaborative relationships, this study is meant to inform the practice of art museum educators and suggest directions for future research on the topic of collaboration in art museum education. |
