Ever since we saw Night at the Museum<\/i>, we\u2019ve dreamt of being able to spend a night in our favorite museums. \u00a0And now, we can! \u00a0Many museums are experimenting with holding fun sleepovers in their spaces.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re taking an in-depth look at these innovative museum experiences. \u00a0Our Night at the Museum series features interviews with museums holding awesome sleepovers, including the USS Hornet<\/i>\u2019s Live-Aboard and the California Academy of Sciences\u2019 Penguins & Pajamas<\/a>. \u00a0We discuss what their sleepovers include, how visitors are responding, and best practices for museums who want to develop this experience.<\/p>\n Our third interview features Dawn Eshelman, Head of Performing Arts for the Rubin Museum of Art<\/a> in New York City. \u00a0Dawn is the brainchild behind the Rubin\u2019s Dream Over experience, where visitors take a unique overnight journey with art.<\/p>\n Read on to find out how the Rubin Museum of Art developed their sleepover program, and Dawn\u2019s advice for starting your own.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> What is your role at the Rubin Museum of Art and how did that lead to developing the Dream Over program?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> Here at the Rubin Museum of Art I have had a variety of titles, from Manager of Programs to my current title Head of Performing Arts, but my focus has always been on co-creating innovative programming that asks visitors and artists to step outside their comfort zone and grow through meaningful adventure. \u00a0The Dream-Over came out of that spirit, and was developed in our collaborative programming department, and with our partners in the psychology field and the city-wide museum education community. \u00a0It takes nearly 20 psychology students\/professionals and 30 docents from museums around the city to put on the Dream-Over for 90 dreamers, so it\u2019s very collaborative.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> What was the inspiration for doing sleepovers, and specifically, the Dream Over concept?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> I am interested in breaking down expectations for what museums can be and how we experience them. \u00a0We had heard of a sleep over in the non-gallery spaces of a museum (at the fabulous Hammer Museum in LA) and were inspired to push that idea further, making it all about a connection with the art. \u00a0Museum professionals are always trying to get people to spend more time with works of art, not just glance for a second and move on. \u00a0This seemed like a great way to build engagement that was through a very personal framework and could make a deep impact. \u00a0Many objects in our collection of Himalayan art were created specifically to be looked at for long periods of time \u2013 whether for educational or spiritual purposes \u2013 so the whole set-up felt authentic to who we are as an institution, not just a gimmick.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> What can participants expect from their night at the museum?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> Before Dreamers come to the museum they fill out a questionnaire. \u00a0We ask 1) why people come to the Dream-Over, 2) what have been the three most important events in their lives, and 3) what color they most strongly resonate with. \u00a0Based on their answers they are paired up with an artwork in the museum that is revealed to them when they arrive. \u00a0They then spend the night in the galleries under that artwork, allowing them to spend a long time together. \u00a0It\u2019s kind of like a blind date with a work of art.<\/p>\n Dreamers are introduced to their artwork by docents, who visit them later in the evening to read a bedtime story they have written themselves, inspired by that work of art. \u00a0It\u2019s a sweet moment in the program, and my favorite time to wander around the galleries, because I get to take in snippets of amazing stories being whispered and see grown-ups all cozied up in their jammies. \u00a0Psychologists come around in the wee hours of the mornings to hear people\u2019s dreams one-on-one, and then we gather in small groups to share experiences. \u00a0There are lots of other surprises along the way.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> How would art inspire dreams and enhance visitors\u2019 experience of the museum?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> The art and the museum environment itself do end up making their way into many people\u2019s dreams quite a bit, which surprised us at first. \u00a0I think it\u2019s a kind of creative interpretation tool. \u00a0Instead of asking what they think of an artwork, or asking them to, say, make an artwork in response, we ask them to digest it and respond in a very different way. \u00a0I think this really opens people\u2019s minds to the fact that they can have a deep relationship to an artwork that they previously might have thought had nothing to do with them. \u00a0So it helps them look and engage differently. \u00a0Plus, it\u2019s just fun. \u00a0An experiment.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> What was your greatest challenge in implementing this program? \u00a0How did you address it?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> My greatest challenge was convincing my colleagues we could do this without putting art objects and people at risk. \u00a0We addressed every single fear and concern we each had (What if people \u201cbehave badly\u201d? What if someone gets up to go to the bathroom at night and knocks into a precious sculpture? \u00a0What if there are sleepwalkers?) and came up with a plan for each and every one. \u00a0Interestingly, we realized that all the concerns we had were things we were already set up to prevent and\/or deal with (except for sleepwalkers). \u00a0We also take great care to set a tone of good-spirited mindfulness throughout the event that somehow seems to set a magical glow on the night.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> The Dream Over has been going on for nearly five years now. \u00a0How have you kept the program successful? \u00a0Do you change up elements of the night to encourage repeat attendance?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> We switch up a few elements but mostly we try to hone in on the essence of the program, keeping its alchemy and experiential nature alive.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> Have you been able to bring the level of engagement found during overnight stays to the everyday experience of the Rubin?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> Many Dreamers come back to the museum during regular hours to pay visits to \u201ctheir\u201d artwork. \u00a0Part of the Rubin\u2019s mission is to help visitors make personal connections to works of art so you will find the spirit of this type of engagement present in many of the programs we present.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> How did you address the challenge of having attendees staying in the Rubin all night \u2014 with things like security, not touching the exhibits, and personal safety of your attendees?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> Very, very carefully. \u00a0As I mentioned above, we very purposefully set a tone of mindfulness and mutual care that influences the entire evening. \u00a0And, of course, all our normal procedures are in place \u2013 guards and all \u2013 so the gallery rules are no different. \u00a0It\u2019s actually quite fun to have our guards present and involved.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> How have your attendees responded? \u00a0Do you find that the Dream Over program attracts new audiences who might not otherwise have visited the museum?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> We have had an amazing response from Dreamers, whether they are Rubin regulars or first-time visitors (and both do come). \u00a0People enjoy the novelty of sleeping in a museum, as well as the chance to engage with art so deeply. \u00a0People have also told me they appreciated \u201cbeing trusted\u201d to be in the museum in this way.<\/p>\n The Dream-Over usually sells out in a day, if not a matter of hours, and continues to bring people to the museum who have never been here before.<\/p>\n But, of course, it\u2019s not everyone\u2019s cup of tea, particularly if they can\u2019t sleep. \u00a0Ways Dreamers can avoid a bad Dream-Over experience include: 1) bring a cushiony, warm sleeping supplies (yes, we allow blow-up mattresses and freestanding hammocks) 2) earplugs and eyemasks! bring them no matter what! 3) don\u2019t forget your sense of humor, 4) don\u2019t worry about whether or not you will dream or remember your dream \u2013 you\u2019ll still have an experience you will not forget.<\/p>\n MH:<\/strong> What advice would you give to museums that are looking to develop similar sleepover programs?<\/p>\n Dawn:<\/strong> Sleepover programs for adults are now a museum mainstay and can sometimes seem gimmicky. I would advise programmers to start with their institution\u2019s mission and collection, and see what inspiration strikes from that place of uniqueness and authenticity. \u00a0Think creatively about partnerships. \u00a0Ask your artists to contribute ideas. \u00a0Finally, don\u2019t be afraid to ask your audiences to take risks and try things that they may not otherwise. \u00a0Kids are always offered playful experiences in museums, but adults want that meaningful adventure, too.<\/p>\n Thank you to Dawn from the Rubin Museum of Art for talking with us and sharing fresh new ideas.<\/p>\n Do you work for a museum? Do you have a program that is successfully engaging new audiences? We\u2019d love to hear about it! <\/i>Send us an email.<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n