The Art of Finding Answers

Museum Sage® is a way to get insights into whatever questions an individual or team may be facing through guided, one-on-one interactions with a work of art.

Participants receive a unique experience that includes elements of mindfulness, close-looking, brainstorming, and crowd-sourcing. This unlocks how participants see their business or life challenges — and generates creative options that can lead to immediate change.

The Museum Sage process was developed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art* and has since been delivered at top museums around the country.

1. THEY ASK A PERSONAL OR BUSINESS QUESTIONHow can I bring more meaning to my job? Where will I find my soul mate? What will it take for my team to work more closely together? What’s the purpose of my life? The participant's intuition, along wi… — 1. THEY ASK A PERSONAL OR BUSINESS QUESTION
*How can I be happier in my job? What’s my role in our team working better together? How can we solve that problem with our new product development? What color should my next car be?*

2. THEY CHOOSE A PIECEEach participant will choose a random number to determine what artwork or historical object will give them insights into their question. They'll mindfully move through the museum, tuning into their other senses. This helps… — 2. THEY CHOOSE A PIECE
Each participant selects a random number to identify the artwork that will provide insights into their question. As they walk through the museum mindfully, with their Guide keeping them safe, they engage all their senses. This activates the creative problem-solving capacity of their right brain.

3. THEY RECEIVE AN INSIGHTThe Guide will lead them through specific questions to explore insights their piece is offering. The Guide and others in the group can share what they see, even if the participant doesn't want want to reveal their question.… — 3. THEY RECEIVE AN INSIGHT
The Guide leads participants through six questions to reveal insights. The group shares observations without needing to know each participant's personal question. Everyone leaves with a fresh perspective and a commitment to a small action that moves them toward what they want in their work and personal life.

“Our Museum Sage session got a 94% approval rating from 18 globally based directors.
That’s an unusually high score from this discerning group.”

– A.M., Executive Coach & Senior Program Manager, Fortune 500 Global company

Your organization’s Museum Sage session

You meet with Museum Sage Co-founder and Executive Director, Laurie Phillips, to discuss your goals and desired outcomes of your session. You can choose a question you want your whole team to answer (like, “What’s my part in reaching our goal of _____?”) or invite them to choose a business or personal question of their own.
All sessions for groups of 4-20 participants are held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art,* starting and ending in a private room set up for our session.
You choose either a three-hour morning session which includes a delicious catered lunch, or an afternoon session which includes hors d'oeuvres and beverages (wine and craft beer available).

Our schedule of activities

Your group of 4-20 participants meet at the Minneapolis Institute of Art* in our private room.
We start with an introduction to the Museum Sage process by Laurie, then each group of 4 participants is connected with their Guide, a certified coach.
The Guide will take their group to a special area of the museum. Each participant (or “Sage”) gets about 20 minutes within the small group to ask a question, choose an artwork, get insights into their question, and commit to a small action step they’ll take within the next 48 hours.
Small groups meet back in the private room for a debrief session about their Museum Sage experience.
We celebrate together with a delicious catered lunch, or hors d'oeuvres and beverages.

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Benefits of a Museum Sage session for your group

Boosts Creativity & Innovation
The artistic environment can inspire fresh thinking and new perspectives, encouraging creative problem-solving and brainstorming.
Enhances Engagement & Focus
A world-class art museum offers a change from an office setting that can help attendees stay engaged and attentive.
Encourages Team Bonding
Sharing a cultural experience fosters stronger connections and teamwork, which can improve collaboration.
Reduces Stress & Enhances Well-being
Exposure to art has been shown to lower stress and enhance mood. This whole-brain activity encourages intuition and empathy. And especially important in the wake of Covid-19, it supports the mental health and wellbeing of your team.
Provides a Memorable Experience
Hosting a meeting in a unique setting makes it more impactful and leaves a lasting impression on attendees.
Supports Local Culture & Community
Choosing a museum as a venue contributes to the arts and local culture, reinforcing corporate social responsibility.
It’s really fun
2023 research from Great Place to Work shows that what drives well-being for millennials is the same for all ages. The No. 1 driver: fun.. Employees who experience fun at work are 190% to 220% more likely to have high well-being levels that can encourage retention.

schedule a session

Please contact Laurie Phillips to answer any questions and to schedule a Museum Sage session for your group: laurie@museumsage.com, 651.225.0858.

“We don’t often have a chance to pause and reflect together as a team, but doing
the Museum Sage session today was a reminder of how important it is.

– Carrie Cisek, CHRO Granicus Software