The “-tainments”
You almost certainly know about immersive art, the for-profit leisure-time trend that has been influencing the museum projects for a few years now.
But that’s not the only thing out there.
Allow me to introduce … the “-tainments” (all real):
Edutainment
The first “-tainment” of all. Arguably, what we all do for a living. Just saying.
Artainment
The broader term for both the digitally projected ones (Van Gogh) and the not-so-digital ones (Meow Wolf). Influential? Yep. Lasting? Some of it, yes.
Retail-tainment
Retailers want us back in stores. Once, they built one mega-mall so large that it had an entire amusement park inside it. Now there are two of them.
Eater-tainment
Many now consider eating out entertainment. Restaurants are now adding themed environments, storylines, and interactivity.
Grocerant-tainment
Ooh, one new word inside another new word. “Grocerant”: a grocery store with a restaurant. “Grocerant-tainment”: Rooftop bars. Food trucks. Cooking demos. Open mic. Corn hole.
Museum-tainment
Museums themselves have been adding new experiences for pure entertainment, usually at a premium upcharge: mini-golf, ferris wheels.
Here’s the thing:
Immersive art isn’t the only trend museum folks should be watching. Keep an eye on all the “-tainments.”
Warmly,
Jonathan
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MtM Word of the Day:
Stanchion. A freestanding low post, typically no taller than waist height, often used to support a series of ropes, chains or ribbons. A set of linked stanchions creates a lightweight barrier, which can direct queues, keep visitors a safe distance from artworks, or indicate an area closed to the public. A stanchion can also support a portable sign.
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Alert! Complimentary (i.e. FREE) Membership Offer
The SEGD Museum Exhibition Professional Practice Group, or ME-PPG, has a pretty hard-to-beat offer, while supplies last:
If you work for a nonprofit museum and need support to join, SEGD has a limited number of grants available to cover a complimentary membership — apply here.
Not ready to commit? Find out more about the SEGD PPG for Museum Exhibition.
