Cultural Competency Beyond the Classroom: Employing Visual Culture Art Education in Museums

Author

• Kaylee LongFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-13-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA Museum Professions

Department

Communication and the Arts

Advisor

James J. Kimble, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Renee Robinson, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Ruth Tsuria, Ph.D.

Keywords

Museum, Museum Education, Visual Culture Art Education, Visual Culture, Cultural Competency

Abstract

In an increasingly diverse and media-dominated world, critical thinking and cultural competency have become crucial skills. Visual Culture Art Education (VCAE), a pedagogy employed in the formal education setting, serves as an effective practice to foster these skills. Although not explicitly employed, elements of VCAE are found in museums. As VCAE has shown success in the classroom environment, museums can supplement their current practices through the conscious use of this pedagogy. Through a multi-site case study of five art museums in the Mid-Atlantic region, this project aimed to find ways that VCAE practices could be adapted into the museum setting.

Recommended Citation

Long, Kaylee, "Cultural Competency Beyond the Classroom: Employing Visual Culture Art Education in Museums" (2026). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 4488.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/4488