Here to Help: The Walker’s Educators
Whether public, private, or for a school group, all tours at the Walker are led by a professional museum educator. This amazing and energetic group of Walker staff are always here to help translate the sometimes—shall we say?—complex artwork jargon into language anyone can understand. Don’t know what Arte Povera was? No problem, the Walker’s educators got you covered. Want to know more about the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden? Walker educators lead tours there, too. With so much collective knowledge at their disposal, we asked the team to let us in on their favorite aspects of the Walker campus and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
I have the most fun telling visitors about my least favorite artwork! It’s a great icebreaker that opens up interesting conversations about what makes “good” and “bad" art. This also encourages students and newcomers to form their own opinions and gives them permission to express strong reactions!
Roman Feldham
When I came to Minneapolis in 2014 to visit for the first time, I went to the Walker Art Center and I told myself that one day I will be walking those halls, bathing in art, teaching art, and getting to CREATE community. Eight-ish years later, I am creating community, walking the halls, bathing in art, because I am here teaching art. On that note, what I always say is, if you come to Minneapolis and you don’t take a picture with the [Spoonbridge and Cherry], you did not come to Minneapolis. The Walker Art Center is Minneapolis.
Mikha Dominguez
The Walker collection of contemporary art is truly unparalleled, and the exhibits are quite singular, forward-thinking.
Billy Franklin
I love taking visitors on a tour through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to end at Angela Two Star’s piece, Okciyapi. It’s a moment to all sit and pause together, listen to the fountain and the other sounds of the sculpture garden, and reflect on the important value of stewardship. That piece seems to crystallize so clearly the importance of using art as a way of healing, remembrance, and the duty we all owe to each other and the land here in Minnesota. I find visitors so impressed that art can communicate that so effectively and poetically.
Savannah Bustillo
[What I like] to tell people is that [the Walker] works with a good deal of contemporary local artists (i.e., they’re still alive, visit the museum, and give input with curation).
Janie Ritter
I am most excited about the Public Engagement, Learning, and Impact department’s emphasis on dialogue during tours and teaching opportunities. I can’t wait to hear more visitor responses to the Walker’s unique offerings.
Morgan Kavanagh
I really enjoy telling visitors about the size of our collection: over 14,000 pieces by almost 2,000 different artists!
Lilly Knopf
Interested in taking or scheduling a tour with this amazing team? Learn more about tours and group visits here.
Discover everything the Public Engagement, Learning, and Impact Department does at the Walker here.
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