Affective Milieu in Children’s Museum Experiences: An Ethnographic Study With Young Visitors at the Danish Workers Museum

Inspired by the affective turn in humanities and social sciences, this thesis explores affective milieu in young visitors' interactions at the Workers Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark. Affective milieu are defined as complex tangles of everyday affect relations that encompass social and material interactions, shaping and being shaped by relational conditions and power dynamics within museum spaces. Employing an anthropological approach and utilizing ethnographic methods, this research emphasizes the affective dimensions of children’s museum experiences. It investigates these dimensions through three distinct articles, each examining different roles children assume in museum spaces—visitors, students, and collaborators.
The findings across the three articles indicate a significant shaping of children's experiences by the affective dynamics present and constructed within these spaces. This thesis demonstrates that children navigating these museum environments are not passive recipients but active agents, whose experiences are significantly shaped by the affective dynamics of their surroundings. From the physical design of the museum to interactions with staff and other visitors, every element contributes to the construction of affective milieu that influence children's emotional experiences and engagement. The study portrays that children’s museum experiences are intricately constructed through, with, by, and off affective milieu.
Aligning with contemporary calls for affective curatorship, the thesis argues for a reimagined approach to museum curation that prioritizes affective encounters. Such encounters are pivotal in enhancing the educational and emotional richness of museum visits, offering a more inclusive and engaging experience. This paradigm shift not only challenges traditional museum practices but also acknowledges the dynamic, co-constructed, and ongoing nature of museum experiences. By embracing affective milieu, museums can foster environments that invite interaction, reflection, and immersiveness while recognizing that not everything can be constructed or predicted by design.