It is well known that the spatial environment has an impact on people's learning. The author takes her language classes to an art museum to use the exhibits as stimulants for target language communication. This article provides a theoretical exploration of some of the underlying concepts that are affected by spatial shifts. It is argued that space is interconnected to power and authenticity and that we need to analyze this threefold structure in order to understand how learners and educators experience spatial shifts. (Contains 5 notes and 2 figures.)