"I'd rather play than look at statues" : the experiences of children with art works and interactive devices at an art exhibition

Young children have been largely neglected in research on the art museum experience. The art exhibition Tête à Tête (Face-to-Face), designed for 5-to-12-year-olds, presented an opportunity to explore three research issues: the relationship of a child with art works and interactive devices, the role played by adults in this relationship, and the benefits derived from the visit. Building on observations and interviews, the authors show that children’s attention is drawn more towards interactive devices than towards art works. However, the hypothesis that interactive devices are detrimental to children’s reception of art works could not be proved. The results point to the limited role played by adults in guiding children towards art works. Both the adults and the children appeared to be satisfied with the playful and interactive dimension of their experience. The authors recommend that art museums explore how to assist families in guiding children’s attention towards art works and to encourage children to take a more active approach to art works.