In this paper, Margaret Marino of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History discusses methodology and findings of an extensive summative evaluation of the "Horse Tales--An Evolutionary Odyssey" exhibit. This permanent exhibition on the history, biomechanics and importance of the horse in the southwest premiered at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History before it was moved to the new Anne C. Stradling Museum of the Horse in Ruidoso, New Mexico. The appendix of this paper includes the observation forms and visitor survey used in the study.
This paper presents an overview of evaluation efforts at the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, which consists of two major national museums--the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum. The authors explain how their "do-it-yourself" evaluation approach as a model for other museums with very limited resources.
In this paper, Donna Morganstern of Metropolitan State College of Denver discusses findings from two studies at Old Tucson, an old west theme park near Tucson, Arizona and one study at Plimoth Plantation, a recreated 1621 Pilgrim Village, Wampanoag homesite, and Mayflower replica in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Morganstern's research support hypotheses that themed environments influence visitors' conceptions of the past and attitudes toward the future, and that visitors perceive the past as a function of their own expectations and beliefs.
This paper describes findings from a study intended to improve the Confrontation Gallery at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This remedial evaluation involved placing written text on the plexiglass photo panels that corresponded to the audi-recorded statements. Text placement was completed in two phases to asses the possibility that having written text on all panels would create competition for attention and result in less attention.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Stephen BitgoodAnn CleghornAmy CotaMelody CrawfordDonald PattersonChris Danemeyer
This paper describes the process researchers and staff used to improve wayfinding at the Minnesota History Center. The authors discuss findings from this research as well as general recommendations for helping visitors find their way around and make choices.
This paper describes the evaluation questions that drove two front-end studies conducted by Randi Korn & Associates (RKA) that were not in art museums. This paper also addresses of exhibition development with significant implications for front-end evaluation in the context of the studies. Then, the discussion returns to exhibition development and evaluation in art museums. Following this more abstract examination of the topic is a discussion of two front-end studies conducted by RKA at the Detroit Institute of Arts in 1996, looking at how the process worked there and what benefit the staff
This paper discusses the "Growing Up and Away" project at the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, in which a team consisting of a curator, programmer, designer and project team leader, developed a family-friendly exhibit that showcased the vast diversity of Glenbow's collection of artifacts related to childhood. This paper outlines the team's approach to development, front-end evaluation, formative evaluation, advisory groups, and related programs.
In this paper, Harris Shettel, museum evaluation consultant, examines the rise of controversial museum exhibitions. Shettel argues that controversial subject matter should not be avoided, but rather presented in exciting, interesting and challenging ways that avoid controversy. Shettel points to the "Prisoners of War: Soviet Prisoners in Germany - German Prisoners in the Soviet Union" exhibition as an exemplar. The various ways exhibit evaluation studies can play an important role avoiding controversy are also identified.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Harris ShettelVisitor Studies Association
This paper examines one Australian museum’s commitment to create social awareness of political issues within its community. The paper begins by discussing the challenge of cultural representation of Indigenous peoples in the context of civic engagement. Some of the historical and political issues facing Indigenous Australians and their representation in Museums are discussed. A study of the Indigenous Australians exhibition at the Australian Museum in Sydney investigates visitors’ perceptions of the exhibition. Recommendations are made as they relate to community partnerships, interpretive
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Katherine S. H. BoumanAustralian Museum
This paper describes the use of front-end evaluation to guide the development of plans for a community museum. In 1995, the fifty-year old Fort Collins Museum received a grant to create new permanent exhibits and educational programs as well as a collection initiative for obtaining donated artifacts from community residents.
In this article, Stephen L. Gerritson of Economic Research Associates discusses a study conducted by the Iron Range Interpretive Center to learn more about its visitors. This museum of mining history and ethnic heritage in Chisholm, Minnesota conducted intercept surveys in the summer of 1986 to better understand visitor demographics, visitor expectations, and the visitor experience.
In this article, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee researcher Don Thompson shares methods and findings from a front-end evaluation of the Plains Indian Exhibit Area at the Milwaukee Public Museum, which was used to inform exhibit renovation plans. Thompson assessed visitor knowledge of key concepts, the role of existing exhibits in fostering knowledge of these concepts, and unforeseen successes or shortcomings of the exhibits.