Working with Diverse Audiences - The Home Visit

One of the most interesting things to have happened whilst working with diverse audiences has been establishing 'The Home Visit'. I noticed that in recent years some of our regulars were finding it increasingly hard to attend Second Sight this was due to ill health or having to rely on friends and family members to travel with them to the gallery. Speaking to these participants on the phone they expressed a number of time show disappointed they were to be missing out. It occurred to me why not come to them instead? 

Aim – To pilot and evaluate the home visit Second Sight. To give participants who are restricted in getting to the gallery the opportunity to engage with the ideas around a current exhibition through description of the work, discussion and object handling in their own homes.

 The first home visit was for regular Connie French who had been unable to attend the Second Sight for 'Gathering' by Melanie Manchot. There were a number of practical considerations to think about for example Health and Saftey, Liability, remembering biscuits! But also interms of the quality of experience and how this could differ from attending the actual workshop. The exhibition itself would be audio described, just as it is in the workshop, the main concern was be the lack of a group disscussion which is central to Second Sight. And so when volunteers Katie, Hattie and I went to visit Connie we made sure we were all involved in the disscussion, not wanting to make Connie feel she was being put on the spot or 'interviewed', we also brought with us the feedback and comments from gallery visiters both the general public and cokmments made by people during the second sight workshops and integrated these into our conversation.

Home Visit Plan

Everyone - Arrival and Introductions 10 mins

Naomi – ‘Audio’ Description of ‘Gathering’ films

Naomi – Object handling, of things that relate into themes within ‘Gathering’

Naomi – Introduce discussion by raising a series of questions on themes within ‘Gathering’

Everyone – Discussion, this can include us saying how other people (general visitors, second sight participants, our own thoughts) responded to the exhibition.

Everyone - Evaluation with Connie ask Connie how the visit was for her, how it can be improved, if it is something she would want again.

On the whole the first home visit was a success, with positive feedback from all parties. It was very interesting observing how the discussion went, I was more vigilante in this non gallery context of the line between sharing stories and views in response to the exhibition and just having a nice chat. Though more aware of this possibility in the comfort of Connie's home we were satisfied that we had stayed on the right side of that line, thanks to Connie's previous experience of participating in Second Sight and the structured plan we kept to for the visit.

Since this initial visit two more have taken place, with the final one led by Katie and Hattie in Glady's Residential Home.

I think this format could be expanded upon, though I think our existing relationship and shared trust with Connie and Gladys helps them to become a natural transition. I am unsure of how well it would work (Or if it should) with new individuals or groups as I think things should always start, where possible within the gallery based Second Sight Workshop sharing views with others experiencing the exhibition for the first time too. Connie has had both a home visit and trips to the gallery for Second Sight this year, it means she is always able to be involved ad can contribute, and with workshops only taking place 3 times a year this is very important.