Can art criticism in the art museum become exciting and accessible to high school and college students who have never visited a museum? Drs. Jason Cox and Lillian Lewis sought to answer this question through developing a live action role playing game for use in art museums. The game, Mantles in the Museum, is designed to help young adults with limited experience in art museums learn about art criticism in an engaging way without the social risks of extemporaneous speaking or limited prior knowledge of art history and art criticism. The game fosters critical dialogue on works of art through immersive experiences that draw on players’ intersectional identities and interests. Mantles in the Museum has been played in art museums throughout North America and beyond. Now you can download and play Mantles in the Museum for FREE with five or more people in your local art museum. Share your play experience using the hashtag #MantlesInTheMuseum on social media.

Full Rule Set and Character Cards

Click each image below to download the full rule set and the character cards to begin your immersive game experience. After you have finished game play you can share your experiences and photographs with us using the Contact page or with the hashtag #MantlesInTheMuseum and you may be featured on our Mantles in the Museum image gallery.