New museum program connecting London newcomers with art

Newcomers to London are discovering local art while improving their English speaking skills.

It's through a new spring program called Getting to Know the Museum, formed in partnership between Museum London and the Cross Cultural Learner Centre (CCLC).

Every week for the last two months, participants toured different exhibits and then discussed the art in a conversation circle led by an ESL facilitator and a tour guide

"We hear from them about their experiences with art in their own countries [and] how they feel about the art work," said Celina Marlatt, a volunteer tour guide. "It's more a case of participants getting a chance to draw out knowledge of English and put it to use."

A space to learn

Participants hail from all over. Their level of English is "fairly high" meaning they don't need a translator.

Judy Chan,an international student from Hong Kong, said the conversation circle helped improve her English speaking skills.

"I wanted to nourish my English speaking skills as well as I wanted to learn some new vocabularies to describe some kind of artistic concepts. At the same time, I would like to get to know more about museum London," she said.

She most recently toured an exhibition that showcased contemporary art created by Indigenous artists.

"It gives me some inspiration on view in cultures in a different perspective," she said.

Ismail Mohamed lived in northern Syria before eventually coming to Canada in December. He's a big fan of artwork and recalled visiting museums in Aleppo.

"I need information from anywhere. I like everything, everything beautiful. Art is beautiful and sends a message and tells a story," he said.

Why the museum?

CCLC volunteer Mark Flink said the museum setting challenges participants in a unique way.

"It's a great place to come and try and deal with things that are in some cases difficult to fathom because there is art that is complicated and other art that's more tranquil or provoking a sense of peace," he said, noting other conversation circles are taking part at local libraries as well.

Marlatt said museums are spaces open to all.

"I think this program is a way to getting people in the space, seeing what we have available, feeling like it's accessible to them," she added.

The pilot program is now being evaluated for its success with hopes to return next spring.