Research Article

Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board

Volume: 8 Number: 1 June 30, 2026
TR EN

Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board

Abstract

This article presents a case study examining how the temporary exhibition Daily Life in Urartu, organized at the Van Museum as part of the Türkiye Culture Route Festivals, was transformed by the contributions of a Children's Advisory Board established at the museum. By critically examining traditional curatorial practices, the study investigates how children's active participation in exhibition design, text development, and the creation of interactive elements enhanced the exhibition's accessibility, educational value, and participatory dimensions. Findings reveal that feedback obtained from children enriched the exhibition narrative and strengthened the museum’s social connection with its audience. This research highlights the significance of child-centered curatorial models for sustainable museum practices and inclusive cultural policies. The study group consisted of 12 children selected from 4 middle schools based on their suitability for participating in the activities. A qualitative research methodology was employed, including observation, focus group interviews, and content analysis. Rather than testing predetermined hypotheses, the study aimed to develop an in-depth understanding of the process and to reveal participants’ perspectives through semi-structured tools. A contemporary museum can demonstrate that an art exhibition may be structured through curatorial practices involving children who are not considered experts but are individuals beginning to experience and interpret life from unique perspectives. Furthermore, such practices reject the monopolization of knowledge, distribute authority, make historical events more understandable for children, and transform culture into a shared space of negotiation accessible to everyone. Through the practical implementation conducted with children at the Van Museum, this study also yielded positive outcomes in preventing illegal excavations and the illicit trade in artifacts in the region, while simultaneously contributing to the development of children's artistic abilities at an early age.

Keywords

References

  1. Akmehmet, K. T. & Ödekan, A. (2006). Müze eğitiminin tarihsel gelişimi. İTÜ Dergisi/b Sosyal Bilimler, 3(1), 47-58.
  2. Beldan, N. Y. (2021). Küratörün söylemi̇/çağdaş sanat sergilerin de bi̇r praksi̇s analizi. Sanat Tarihi Dergisi, 30(2), 969-989.
  3. Beyazova, A. Durmuş, G. & Tüzün, I. (2015). Eğitimde çocuk katılımı: Dünyadan ve Türkiye'den örnekler, İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi.
  4. Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3, 77-101.
  5. Buyurgan, S. & Mercin, L. (2005). Görsel sanatlar eğitiminde müze eğitimi ve uygulamaları. V. Özsoy (Editör). Görsel Sanatlar Eğitimi Derneği Yayınları, 2.
  6. Erbay, M. (2000). Plastik sanatlar eğiliminin gelişimi. Boğaziçi Üniversitesi.
  7. Erbay, F. (2017). Türkiye’de müzecilik eğitiminin üniversitelerde kurumlaşması. Milli Eğitim Dergisi, 46(214), 105-122.
  8. Ergin, G. (2024). Kapsayıcı müze ve dijital destekli kapsayıcı pratikler. Sanat ve Tasarım Dergisi, 14(2), 496-516.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Museum Education

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 26, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 29, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 1

APA
Özrili, Y. (2026). Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board. Journal of International Museum Education, 8(1), 47-63. https://doi.org/10.51637/jimuseumed.1872425
AMA
1.Özrili Y. Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board. JIMuseumED. 2026;8(1):47-63. doi:10.51637/jimuseumed.1872425
Chicago
Özrili, Yaşar. 2026. “Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board”. Journal of International Museum Education 8 (1): 47-63. https://doi.org/10.51637/jimuseumed.1872425.
EndNote
Özrili Y (June 1, 2026) Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board. Journal of International Museum Education 8 1 47–63.
IEEE
[1]Y. Özrili, “Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board”, JIMuseumED, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 47–63, June 2026, doi: 10.51637/jimuseumed.1872425.
ISNAD
Özrili, Yaşar. “Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board”. Journal of International Museum Education 8/1 (June 1, 2026): 47-63. https://doi.org/10.51637/jimuseumed.1872425.
JAMA
1.Özrili Y. Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board. JIMuseumED. 2026;8:47–63.
MLA
Özrili, Yaşar. “Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board”. Journal of International Museum Education, vol. 8, no. 1, June 2026, pp. 47-63, doi:10.51637/jimuseumed.1872425.
Vancouver
1.Yaşar Özrili. Child Curators: Reimagining the Temporary Festival Exhibitions at the Van Museum by the Children’s Advisory Board. JIMuseumED. 2026 Jun. 1;8(1):47-63. doi:10.51637/jimuseumed.1872425

 

Flag Counter


JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM EDUCATION [JIMuseumED]

by-nc.png This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

27839