BY: DR. LOIS H. SILVERMAN, IZZY SILVERMAN, AND MIN DURHAM

Did you know that Drs. Lois H. Silverman and Laura M. Holzman and MSTD students collaborated with the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, Croatia and created the Museum of Broken Relationships Indianapolis (MBRI) back in 2022?

Did you attend or help create the 3,200 square-foot, crowd-sourced MBRI exhibit at Herron Galleries in Spring 2023, or one of the MBRI public educational programs that semester, or work on the MBRI project evaluation with Dr. Silverman since then?

Are you curious to learn the findings of our 5-part study about people’s experiences with the MBRI exhibit and MBRI public programs? 

Well we’ve got a report for you! Download the Museum of Broken Relationships Indianapolis Visitor Experiences Report here:

https://tinyurl.com/2025-MBRI-Report

This study and report were the collaborative effort of the MBRI Evaluation Team, directed by Dr. Silverman, in close consultation with Randi Korn, external evaluation expert and thought partner, and 20 amazing current and former IUI Museum Studies students: Michael Cranick, Min Durham, Mary Glisson, Marissa Hamm, Emily McMath, Kayla McLean, Syd Overtoom, Shelby Riley, Virginia Sever, and Izzy Silverman, who each served as Community Engagement Associates on this project during 2023, 2024, and/or 2025; Jake Higgins and Izzy Silverman, IUI Loretta Lunsford Scholarship recipients; Kierra Anderson, Abby Chamberlin, Michael Cranick, Brent Fugate, Marissa Hamm, Jacob Higgins, Kayla McLean, Emily McMath, Ava Osowick, Syd Overtoon, Katie Plank, Peyton Reicherts, Virginia Sever,  Luke Skulski, and John Terwilliger, students in Dr. Silverman’s Museums and Audiences course in Spring 2023; and Jenni Mott, independent study student in Spring 2023. From data collection and analysis to chapter drafting, editing, and design, each evaluation team member made invaluable contributions to this report, and it simply would not have been possible without them! 

Thank You and Congratulations to ALL MBRI Evaluation Team members!

The purpose of this evaluative study was to describe patterns of visitor engagement, assess if the specific MBRI project outcomes were achieved, and explore additional areas of meaning and benefit for exhibit visitors and program participants. Museums and Audiences course students in 2023 conducted observations, surveys, and interviews with exhibit visitors, and participant observations and surveys with program participants. Collectively, the data revealed key findings that can inform future projects of the Museum of Broken Relationships and museum practice in general. Some highlights include:

• The MBRI exhibit met the criteria of a “thoroughly used exhibit” – one in which visitors move at a slower pace and engage with a higher proportion of exhibit elements as compared to other exhibits
• MBRI public programs drew community members and students who stayed for the entire length of time-bound programs and interacted with facilitators, companions, and/or other participants they did not previously know
• People found specific object-stories in the exhibit as well as particular programs most engaging due to their deeply emotional, personal content, or when a presentation technique invited them to share their own responses and stories and connect with others about their experiences
• Project outcomes related to reflection and empathy were more successfully achieved than outcomes related to learning from the exhibit and programs
• Museum exhibits and programs have the power to foster highly emotional experiences by centering object-stories of emotion
• Museums have an urgent role to play in helping unite people across divides
• Museums can and do nurture essential aspects of social-emotional well-being

Want to learn more? Check out the report for yourself, spread the word to friends and colleagues, and be sure to congratulate MBRI Evaluation Team members!  Thank you for your interest in the Museum of Broken Relationships Indianapolis Visitor Experiences Report. May it inform your work and inspire your continued faith in the power of museum exhibits and programs!   

Dr. Lois H. Silverman is Professor, Public Scholar of Museum Education, and Director of Graduate Studies, IUI Museum Studies Program

Izzy Silverman is a second-year MA student in the IUI Museum Studies Program

Min Durham is an undergraduate student pursuing a Museum Studies certificate at IUI