Putting Objects to Work: Building Visitors’ Museum Literacy through Critical Encounters with Collections

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 |  3:00–5:00pm | Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, MA

A free workshop for ASOR Annual Meeting attendees led by Dr. Jen Thum at the Harvard Art Museums.

Museum literacy can be defined as an “insider’s” understanding of museums and how they work. Among other things, it includes knowledge of museum terminology, the breadth of museum labor, and the broad array of activities a visitor can take part in. Most museum visitors do not have a background in archaeology, art history, or museum studies; giving them the tools to understand the inner workings of museums on the “back end” is a life skill that can help them have more empowering and fulfilling interactions with any museum in the future.

In this workshop, we will explore the collections at the Harvard Art Museums and engage in casual conversations to consider how carefully orchestrated encounters with objects can support visitors’ (and students’) museum literacy. We will discuss how “good teaching objects” allow visitors to learn about far more than the objects themselves, developing a deeper understanding of museum practices that can lead to a greater sense of belonging in our spaces. Together we will also brainstorm how ancient objects in particular can provide “ways in” to certain museum literacy topics, from responsible stewardship to conservation science.

This workshop will take place in person and is limited to 18 people. Advance registration is required; please register using this form.

Please contact Jen Thum (jennifer_thum@harvard.edu) if you have any questions.