In this article, Dan Tomberlin, an exhibit and graphic design consultant, investigates virtual museums. Tomberlin presents several definitions of these online museum-like experiences and then highlights several noteworthy museum sites. This article is a reprint from the "Exhibitionist" vol.15, no.2, Fall 1996.
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Dan TomberlinNational Association for Museum Exhibition
In this article, Kathleen McLean, Principal of Independent Exhibitions, explores the importance of criticism for museum exhibitions. McLean includes a model of how to assess an exhibition as a chronicle of personal experiences. This article is a reprint from the "Exhibitionist" vol. 12, no. 2, Fall 1998.
In this article, Janet Kamien, principal of Janet A. Kamien Museum Consulting, discusses controversial museum exhibitions. Kamien uses recent examples to argue that all controversy associated with exhibits is "situational," and these controversies usually stem from issues within the museum and staff and rarely from the actual subject matter.
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Janet Kamien
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Barbara Berry, student in Museum Studies at John F. Kennedy University, provides a "RFP: Go or No Go?" checklist as a tool to stimulate a discussion amongst museum staff about whether to respond to an RFP. Berry outlines the steps to take to evaluate an RFP and tips for crafting responses and moving forward.
In this article, Marjorie Schwarzer, Professor of Museum Studies at John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley, California, describes eleven of the most influential exhibitions from the 20th century, according to NAME members surveyed for her book "Riches, Rivals and Radicals: 100 Years of Museums in America."
In this article, Jessica Willcox, Creative Director at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, describes the development of the OMSI's "Green Exhibit Certification" guide--a tool to help developers rate the environmental sustainability of exhibitions and encourage exhibition development teams to improve their sustainability efforts. Excerpts from the tool are included in this article.
This article features perspectives from a variety of exhibit design consultants about their work and trends in the field. Authors include Douglas Simpson, Associate and Senior Exhibit Designer at Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc., Christopher Chadbourne, President of Christopher Chadbourne & Associates, Jeffrey Kennedy, President of Jeff Kennedy Associates, Inc., Michael Roper, Creative Director at Experience Media Group, Krent/Paffett/Carney Inc., Sara Smith, Director of Exhibit Development at Amaze Design, Inc., Sari Boren, Principal and Exhibit Developer at Wondercabinet Interpretive Design
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Douglas SimpsonChristopher ChadbourneJeffrey KennedyMichael RoperSara SmithSari BorenPeter KuttnerLarry Bell
In this article, Suzanne Gaskins, Professor of Psychology at Northeastern Illinois University and researcher at the Chicago Children's Museum, discusses how museums should design exhibitions to support and encourage family interaction. Specifically, Gaskins discusses how caregivers' understanding of the exhibition influences their engagement and their use of resources offered by the museum to support their engagement as well as cultural differences in caregivers' understandings of how experiences like those in a "hands-on" museum are related to learning and what their should be, and how they
In this article, Sujit Tolat, Associate and Senior Designer at Gallagher and Associates, recounts her journey as an exhibit designer, traveling and working on projects throughout the world. Tolat describes two aspects of her journey: a literal move from New Delhi to Washington, DC and a cultural shift in her design perspective that incorporated elements of both East and West. Talbot concludes that museum and exhibit design provides a unique opportunity to enhance diversity and encourage exchange between cultures.
In this article, Charlie Trautmann, Executive Director of Sciencenter, and Maureen McConnell, Education Manager at Ecotarium and Exhibit Developer for Jan Crocker LLC, argue that museums who seek to change visitors perceptions and behavior through exhibitions on sustainability, they need to address four issues: the focus of the exhibition, the museum context, and post-visit engagement through programming. The authors include a checklist to help museum professionals plan exhibitions on sustainability.
In this article, Jennifer Bine, Project Director at the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), explores the role of project managers as key members of the exhibit development process. Bine analyzes how project managers have changed the structure and operation of museum exhibition teams at their institutions.
In this article, Amanda Griffith, Executive Director of Arthurdale Heritage, Inc., describes the work of the AHI New Deal Homestead Museum. Griffith describes how this small institution overcomes challenges related to operational expenses and lack of staff.