This article focuses on traveling exhibits with special attention to budgets and contracts. Cathy Ferree Bork, Associate Vice President of Exhibits at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and Tamara Wooten-Bonner, Director of Exhibitions and Publications at the Dallas Museum of Art, discuss the nuts and bolts of budgets. Michelle Torres-Carmona, Director of Scheduling & Exhibitor Relations at the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, and Whitney Owens, Traveling Exhibitions Director at the Field Museum of Natural History, focus on contracts.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Michelle Torres-CarmonaCathy BorkTamara Wooten-BonnerWhitney Owens
In this exhibition review, Barbara Cohen-Stratner, the Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg Curator of Exhibitions for The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, examines the "Abolition200" project, programs and exhibits that commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Parliamentary act that ended British participation in the Atlantic Slave Trade. Cohen-Stratner focuses on three major exhibitions--one that commissioned a new art work, one that relabeled elements of its permanent display, and one that combined these methods--to discuss how museums can develop exhibitions and reinterpret
In this article, Rich Faron, president, and Susan Curran, director, both of Museum Explorer, Inc., explore the importance of internal relationships among museum staff. In particular, the authors outline "Five Ts for successful teams" and other ways to improve teamwork amongst museum professionals.
In this exhibition review, Eric Siegel, Director and Chief Content Officer at the New York Hall of Science, critiques the "Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, and Mermaids" exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History. Siegel provides a walkthrough of the exhibit and remarks about the audience and pedagogy.
In this article, George Mayer, Vice-President of Museum Services for Art Guild, Inc., guides exhibit developer on how to write successful Request for Proposals (RFPs). Mayer emphasizes the importance of "doing your homework first" to better understand your project, partners/contractors, and shared goals.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
George Mayer
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Cliff Abrams, principal of Abrams Associates Design, LLC, shares his frustrating experience with the RFP process. Abrams argues for much simpler, more honest approach.
In this article, Douglas Simpson, Senior Exhibit Designer and Associate at Cambridge Seven Associates, Inc., provides tips and advice for hiring an exhibit design consultant. Simpson provides resources for finding an exhibit designer, comments on speculative design, and discusses processes like contact negotiations, communication, and documentation.
In this article, Erich Zuern, Producer for Derse Museum Group, discusses Request For Proposals (RFPs) and how to make sure you receive proposals that are focused on your needs from the most qualified firms. Zuern also addresses the factors that affect a firm's decision.
In this article, Serena Furman, Principal of A Space Design, provides a guide for improving RFP bidding. Furman outlines the steps needed to prepare the RFP and RFP Response. Included are quotes from the field illustrating concerns from both the Museum Staff and Contractor's side of the RFP process.
In this article, Alan Teller Partner at Teller Madsen, highlights the major points of a forum on exhibition evaluation at the AAM Conference in Chicago. The forum focused on three distinct approaches: the Execellent Judges Framework, Independent Critic's approach, and Summative Evaluation approach. Challenges and opportunities of each approached are discussed and are regarded as tools for museum evaluators.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Alan Teller
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.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Barbara Berry
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, Barbara Punt, Principal of Punt Consulting, outlines ways to write effective Request For Proposals. Punt emphasizes the importance of clearly conveying your request and considering the respondents' point of view.